Peace deal overseers urge for immediate action after Pibor visit

A delegation from various organisations supporting the implementation of the 2018 peace deal has urged the government to mop out illegal guns to secure distressed Greater Pibor Administrative Area.

The delegation comprised leaders who are drawn from the African Union Mission in South Sudan (AUMISS), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (R-JMEC), the African Diplomatic Corps (ADC), the acting Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). They visited the area and showed concern over the state of affairs on June 1.

They warned of possible escalation of violence if no remedial action would be taken, and reiterated the importance of disarming communities to break the cyclic bouts of attacks.

‘‘The delegation is concerned that violence this year could evolve into something similar to that witnessed in early 2020 when thousands of fighters Dinka, Nuer, Murle communities conducted attacks on villages, killing and wounding hundreds of civilians,’’ a joint statement published by UNMISS read.

It proceeded to state: ‘‘While acknowledging that the current fragile situation has begun to improve gradually, the delegates from the AUMISS, IGAD, R-JMEC, ADC and UNMISS called on the Transitional Government of South Sudan, together with community leaders in Greater Pibor and Jonglei, to take steps to silence the guns, address the root causes of the conflict and fulfil its responsibility to protect civilians.’’

Appeals

The leaders of the organisations called for the protection of the vulnerable people from inter-communal violence, providing support for the internally displaced persons and ensuring that women get the representation in the 35 per cent gender parity requirement.

They also urged for the establishment of local administrative structures in the area to ensure that development projects can be properly undertaken.

Greater Pibor recently experienced clashes pitting youth drawn from rival communities. As a result, the World Food Programme (WFP) lamented losing food assistance to looters who it said had also destroyed the food reserve equipment. The delegations praised UNMISS for stepping up in securing the food reserves.

‘‘AUMISS, IGAD, R-JMEC and ADC commended UNMISS for its efforts to guard humanitarian food supplies, establish temporary bases and intensify patrols in the affected areas to deter violence, and engagement with political and traditional leaders to promote dialogue and reconciliation and support efforts to secure the release of abducted women and children,’’ the statement read.