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Press Release: Padang Condemnation Statement on Endless Killing of Civilians in Akoka, Upper Nile State

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​Padang Condemnation statement on endless killing of Civilians in Akoka

Wednesday, February 10, 2021 (PW) — The Padang Community would like to inform that public that Akoka County of Upper Nile State has been attacked by theSPLM-IO of Dr. Riek Machar who came from the Greater Naser on 2 February 2021, this new attack happened just after their first attack on Bai Ajak Village in Maluth County some weeks ago, where they committed atrocities and looted civilians properties. 

For public information, in their attack, the attacked forcesdevastated some villages in Akoka County, and one more committed human atrocities, where innocent civilians of Dongjol lost their lives. 

In addition to that, the attackers have burned farms, some houses and looted the civilians’   proprieties and other livelihood.  

Furthermore, the attackers’ forces forced civilians to leave their homes and seek refugee and protection in other parts of Akoka. 

Moreover, up to this date, it is reported that SPLA-IO attackers with their families are still forcefully occupying Akoka area and no indication which show that the SPLM-IO attackers areleaving the attacking area.

In reality, these human rights violations and atrocities shouldhave stopped, after the signing of peace and at the time, whenthe parties of the R-ARCSS are working hard to implement the peace agreement. Moreover, such unnecessary attacks are grossviolations of International humanitarian laws and the R-ARCSS agreement. 

Therefore, the Padang Community resolves to:

1- Condemns in the strongest possible terms, these endless attacks and occupation of Padang Jieng by the SPLM-IO forces and endless killing of civilians in Akoka.

2- As the C-in-C of the SPLA-IO, the First Vice President,Dr. Riek Machar bear the responsibility of   violation of security arrangements and endless attacks on Padang areas and atrocities committed in Akoka and others areasby his forces.

3- We request the First Vice President for immediate withdrawal of the SPLA-IO forces from Akoka occupied villages and other occupied areas of Padang including Pigi County and Wun Kur in Ruweng Administrative area.

4- The Padang communities may not participate in the UpperNile State Communities reconciliation conference if the SPLA-IO attacks in Padang areas are not stopped.

5- We appeal to R-ARSS monitoring bodies including AU,IGAD, R-JMEC, and CTSAMVM to investigate violation of security by the SPLM-IO forces.

6- We urge the UNMISS to provide protection to the affected civilians in Upper Nile without discrimination.

7- We urgently request the International and regional NGOs to provide humanitarian assistance to the affected civilians in Akoka and other affected areas. 

8- We urge our neighbors to respect the peace agreement and abstain from cease supporting criminal activities, which only destroy social fabrics and motivate revenge attacks and instability in the region. 

9- We call for full implementation of security arrangements, protection of civilians and urge for general disarmament in the country.

In conclusion, we would to like assure the nation that Padang People shall continue upholding peace and peaceful co-existence with their neighbors, and shall remain committed in supporting the R-TOGNU under the leadership the President of the Republic Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit.

Long live unity of people of South Sudan

Long the R-ARCSS

__________________                                   ​        

Dr. Ramadan Chan                                                    

Chairperson, Padang Community Union

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