UNMISS together with Warrap State authorities over the weeked visited Tonj North and East to review the security situation and appealed for a dialogue, peaceful resolution to escalating tensions in the area.
The persistent fighting in the region over the past few months witnessed cattle raids, revenge attacks and movement obstruction, which exacerbated an already dire humanitarian situation.
“Roadblocks have hindered humanitarian assistance from reaching those who need it the most”, Aguer Madut, Luanyjang, Romich and Tonj East community representative told the visiting delegation.
He continued that “people are dying of malnutrition, disease, flooding and now, an escalation in violence,”
Madut appealed to the government and international partners to airlift necessary supplies to suffering communities.
A resident of Kacuat Rebecca Kual, told the visiting delegation that “Civilians were the target of armed attacks. Schools and health facilities have been damaged and we were looted of our possessions”.
Anastasie Mukangarambe, Head of the UNMISS Field Office in Kuajok, emphasized the need nature for feuding parties to cooperate with ongoing government efforts to bring about a negotiated peace through amicable dialogue.
“Retaliation and violence will only exacerbate the suffering of innocent civilians,” she said.
Ms. Mukangarambe explained that urge residents to cooperate with the state government’s efforts to build peace, remove road blockades and resolve all issues.”
Warrap State Minister of Youth, Culture, and Sports, Agok Ayar, urged affected communities to find sustainable solutions to the dispute.