 has condemned fighting that erupted in Leer County, Unity State on Tuesday, 28th November 2023.){kind=link}
Civil Society Organization known as Centre for Peace and Advocacy (CPA) has condemned fighting that erupted in Leer County, Unity State on Tuesday, 28th November 2023.
The fighting was reported between government-allied forces led by Gen. Simon Maguek Gai who recently defected from SPLA and joined the South Sudan People Defense Forces and those of the SPLA in Opposition.
Hundreds of women and children reported deserted their homes and villages seeking safety in Leer town as the violence escalated into many villages.
Some eyewitnesses say they have seen people carrying their belongings while running toward Payak, Nyony, and other villages in Leer’s surrounding areas.
Ter Manyang, Executive Director of Centre of Peace and Advocacy (CPA) says the fighting is a violation of the ceasefire and it could affect the anticipated general election in 2024.
Mr. Ter calls for the armed group to disengage from the violence and promote peace to ensure no more displacement that increases the suffering of civilians.
The activist further urged the peace monitoring mechanism CTSAMVM to investigate the cause of violence and those who instigated the fighting should be held accountable.
“CPA condemned in strongest terms possible for the fresh fighting that happened in Leer County of Unity State. We call upon the SPLA-IO and SSPDF to respect the international humanitarian law and international human rights law when it comes to the rule of engagement.”
Ter calls the government to hold accountable those individuals creating conflict, yet the citizens are seeking the transformation of South Sudan from war to a peaceful democratic state.
Leer County Commissioner Hon. Stephen Taker Riek has confirmed the ongoing violence in the area but could not give further details. He accused the SPLA in Opposition of attacking forces of Gen. Simon Maguek Gai allied to the government.
Mr. Taker said the fighting had stopped this morning Wednesday, 29th November, and called the residents who deserted their villages to return to their homes immediately.
The Spokesperson of the SPLA In Opposition, Col. Lam Paul Gabriel said their base in Kaigai, came under a series of aggressive and coordinated attacks from the armed element of Lt-Gen. Maguek Gai backed by the SSPDF and Leer County Commissioner in grave violation of the agreement.
“The SPLA-IO swiftly repulsed the aggressors towards their base in Leer town leaving behind five dead bodies including a senior officer, one soldier from the IO forces killed in action, and five others wounded,” Lam said.
Col. Lam calls upon the CTSAMVM and Joint Defense Board (JDB) to investigate the violation and hold those responsible to account.
The fighting in Leer County came a few weeks after necessary Unified Forces (NUF) deployed in Upper Nile.