Ex-Upper Nile state governor urges unity gov’t to prosecute cattle raiders

JUBA – Former governor of South Sudan’s Upper Nile state, Simon Kun Puoch, is appealing to the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGONU) to prosecute perpetrators of cattle raids which is currently a prime cause for ethnic violence in the world’s youngest country.

This comes after suspected raiders from former Latjor state attacked cattle camps in the Upper Nile state’s Paloch and Melut killing around 12 civilians and wounding many others. The incident is believed to be a revenge attack by the members of the armed youth from Nasir.

Speaking during a press conference at the SPLM National Secretariat in Juba on Thursday, Puoch who is  also the chair of a peace committee among Upper Nile state communities called on armed youth in the state to ease tensions and engage in dialogue as a mean to restore peaceful coexistence and stability in the state.

“We appeal to the government of national unity to apprehend these criminals and bring them to justice and we appeal to all organized forces stationed in  the area to protect civilians lives and properties,” Kun said.

Kun warned social media users against dividing communities in the oil-rich state along ethnic tribal lines.

“We strongly sent this warning to all the anti-peace elements to cease all forms of provocations and negative propagandas in social media,” he cautioned.

The former governor further said that the two communities of Jieng Padang and Jikany Nuer have condemned the attacks against the civilians.

“We  leaders of these two communities are abhorred by violence incidents in Melut county and condemned these attacks against civilians in both Bai Ajak and Paloch in the strongest term possible,” he said.