High Tension in Juba and Bor after Kiir’s Nephew Kills Five Civilians, including a Woman

By Heskey Deng, Juba, South Sudan

Thursday, June 04, 2020 (PW) — South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir’s nephew killed five civilians and wounded seven others at Sherkat, suburb of Juba on Wednesday morning.

The eyewitnesses said the shooting was triggered by a quarrel over a cemetery land dispute. The deceased are South Sudanese national, include woman.

“Justice must prevail! People are being put under injustice and this is not fair, we have to be given equal opportunities and he must face the law, that is what we are calling for,” said Garang Peter, one of the protestor.

The protestors’ further call for the government to actually serve justice, otherwise things will fall apart across the country.

According to protestors, the perpetrator Lual-Marine, who is Kiir’s nephew, has been threatening the livelihood at the Sherkat residential for a long time.

It was few months ago, President Kiir’s nephew, cleared out a cemetery around Sherkat residential of Juba and built his hotel without any authorization or permission from the state authority. The cemetery contains the remains of such legendary figures as Panan Amos Ajak, plus other notable war heroes.

Lual-Marine also attempted to grab a public toilet at Bor Bus Park, which belongs to the Bor Park management committee. The dispute parties were in court and court ruled in favor of Bor Park management committee.

Despite the court decision, Lual-Marine extended his fence to include the disputed a plot and large portion of the cemetery. In turn, the leadership of the Bor Park responded in destroying the fence in his present on Tuesday afternoon.  

But he reportedly kept quiet, left and mobilized his military force, which led to killing on Wednesday morning, according to eyewitnesses.

Eyewitnesses say that the group of landowners and Lual-Marine later fought each other in which Lual-Marine is accused of starting the fighting, and that when the soldier with him started shooting at random at the civilians.

The killing of unarmed civilians by Lual-Marine, who is said to be a soldier, has ignited angry protests in Sherkat Suburb of Juba city and Bor in Jonglei state.

Hundreds of residents flooded the street with posters shouting, “Kiir Must Go”; Kiir is our Coronavirus”; “Lual Is A killer”; “We Don’t Need a Killing Regime”. Other placards read, “Justice Must Prevail” this time.

Major Gen. Daniel Justin, Police spokesperson explained that the cause of fighting was land dispute between one army officer and local persons, which resulted to the killings of five people, four men and one woman.

The dispute and fighting began with members of Alian (Bor county) whose land was being grabbed by Lual-Marine. Three Alian men (Bor County) are wounded, one Ajuong (Twic East County), and one Pathuyith (Bor County).

Among the dead are one lady and one man from Kongor (Twic East County), one man from Ajuong (Twic East County), one man from Nyarweng (Duk county) and one Ugandan. Most of the dead were mere bystanders who were not directly involved in the land dispute.

“We have arrested the suspects – they are six [6]; since the suspects are arrested and the case is opened and now is being investigating, let the families of the victims be calm and give us the chance, as the law enforcement, to finish our work,” Justin told this media.

A statement from the president’s office, signed by Press Secretary Ateny Wek Ateny, said Mr Kiir “is saddened about the shooting and further condemned it.” It added that the incident would be investigated thoroughly.

“The perpetrator has been apprehended by authorities and is under close monitor in hospital, in a critical condition. It is unclear whether he was injured during the incident or after his arrest. The killings of five people are a very serious criminal act the perpetrator [s] must be punished,” said in part of the statement, by president Kiir.

President Kiir’s family has strongly denied Lual-Marine’s paternity, saying he is not the biological son of the President. Ateny Wek Ateny says Lual Akook is purported to be “distant relative” from President Kiir’s clan, but he was acting alone.

“The incident would be investigated and public will informed of the outcome through the court of law,” Ateny said in the statement, further warns of politicizing the clear criminal matter.

But many people say Lual-Marine is a biological son of the president Kiir despite the denial at the moment. In Facebook post in November 2019, the Office of the President identified Lual as Kiir’s nephew during his wedding at J-1 to the daughter of Gen. Gregory Vassili, brother to Mama Ayen Mayardit.

“We are calling on the South Sudan government to intervene, because killing of unarmed civilians is against humanity – this impunity must end,” said Bol Deng. “We are tired of this gibberish.”

The killings received condemnations from the civil society groups who urge the president to intervene.

The chiefs of the army, military intelligence, police and other government agencies went to the demonstrations scene to cool the situation but were resisted by the protectors. The road remained blocked and protesting is expected to resume early tomorrow.

“We shall overcome! Our lives matters too – being Dinka is a pre-requisite to mismanage the country – we demand justice,” said Peter Arok Maketh, a relative of one the one of deceased.

Observers say the Lual-Marine often use President Kiir’s name and state powers to terrorize and kill at will, including land grabbing and violent threats.

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