CEPO condemns attack on IDPs in Panyikang, urges UN investigation

JUBA — South Sudan’s civil society organization, the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), has condemned Thursday’s deadly attack on an IDP camp in Panyikang County of Upper Nile State.

On Thursday afternoon, armed men believed to be Gawar Nuer White Army attacked an IDP camp at Adidhang killing 17 innocent civilians.

Gatwech’s group denied the attack and accused First Vice President Machar’s forces of carrying out the attack.

Gen. Olony’s group separately pointed the responsibility to Machar’s group.

In a statement, CEPO said it strongly condemn the the attack on civilians and urged human rights investigators to step up probe in order for the perpetrators to be known and brought to justice.

“CEPO strongly condemns the attack on IDP camp in panyikang county of upper Nile state,” the CEPO said in the statement signed by its executive director Edmund Yakani.

“This is a solitary crime against humanity and the perpetrators behind the attacks should be held accountable under the international law. UN human rights council and UN commission for human rights for South Sudan both should investigate the panyikang IDPS camp attack,” the statement added.

‘SILENCE IN JUBA’

The statement further stressed that the ongoing clashes between rival armed factions are dead and expressed strong disapproval of what he calls ‘silence’ of the country’s leadership in Juba.

“The violence going on among the conflicting parties in some parts of Upper Nile State is more deadly and [the government in] Juba is silent about it. The constitutional duty of the president is to ensure that violence going on among the kitgwang conflicting factions including others forces should be stop immediately,” the statement said.

“The loss of human lives and properties in some parts of upper Nile state should be a serious concern of the president and the transitional government of national unity,” the statements added.