Jonglei armed youth group threatens to attack SSPDF over ‘unfair’ involvement

BOR – Heavily armed civilians from South Sudan’s Jonglei state are threatening to attack the country’s army over claims that they are unfairly involved in the ongoing violence in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA).

Armed youth known as the White Army from Lou-Nuer, Dinka Bor, and Anyuak, have been on rampage attacking civilians in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area with dozens are reported to have been killed and thousands more displaced.

In a statement, South Sudan army said on Wednesday that it troops in Gumuruk town of the GPAA withdrew following attack by the armed youth and threatened to use force to return the armed civilians to Jonglei state where they come from.

In a statement, the White Army said they have been disappointed by the government inability and unwillingness to provide protection, saying that criminals from the GPAA have been abducting children and women from their areas.

“The Jonglei State White Army Youth, under the leadership of Mr. Kor Awoe of greater Bor, Mr. Reath Tut of Greater Lou Nuer, and Mr. Omot Omot of greater Pochalla, are here to make their points clear to the SSPDF on its involvement in the civilian youth fight,” they said in the statement extended to Sudans Post.

“The leadership of Jonglei State Youth White Army wants Mr. Lul Ruach Koang; the spokesperson for the South Sudan People’s Defense force to understand that SSPDF is a national force formed to protect all citizens in South Sudan. The SSPDF was not formed for the protection of Criminals, particularly Murle tribal men who continue to violate international human rights laws by kidnapping human beings and holding them against their will. Covering these Murle criminals could easily drag the South Sudan government into violating the Geneva Convention of 1949 international treaty,” they added.

“The reason why youth from Dinka Bor, Gawar Nuer, Lou Nuer, and Anyuak communities combined to fight against one ethnic community of Murle is well known to SPLA and the South Sudan government. Murle community became hazardous to the entire Jonglei State for their criminal youth are constantly terrorizing our communities. The Murle community has saddened our youth for a good reason, and the South Sudan army forces need to take our case very seriously.

“Our youth have no intention to attack any government town in Jonglei State; however, the involvement of the South Sudan army forces fighting alongside Murle army criminals against our youth was the reason why our youth attacked Gumuruk town. Last night we’ve experienced heavy shelling from the South Sudan military on the Gumruk Pibor road, which we ignored.

“As a precautionary statement, we want to assure the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces to refrain from involvement in the fight against our youth. Our youth have nothing to do with any government property or to put any harm on the children, women, or elders. Our targets are Murle Youth Criminals or anyone who will back them up.

“Our youth will immediately respond to any government-heavy machine guns, such as DSHK 1939-12.7mm, PKM 7.62mm, or any military Howitzer. If we heard any of these military weapons, our youth would run over your Pibor town. An easy way to prevent this mess is to simply distance the SSPDF from backing the Murle Youth Criminals; we will deal with them outside the government towns.

“Finally, we are demanding medical supplies and airlifts for our wounded youth. Denial of these services might trigger anger for our youth and may cause unpredictable results.”