![South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit speaking during an even at the state house at unknown date. [Photo by unknown]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Salva_Kiir_23052017.jpg?ssl=1)
JUBA— President Salva Kiir Mayardit has promised to punish people who are behind the killing of over 30 people including senior army officers during clash between civilians and soldiers in Tonj North of Warrap State last month.
In June, deadly fighting erupted at Rualbet Payam of Warrap state between soldiers belonging to South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and armed civilians resulting in the killing of scores of people including senior army officers.
While the official government toll of those who died stands at 30, several state officials with direct knowledge of the actual number of those who died say it stands at 65,most of whom are members of the organized forces.
In statements marking his annual Independence Day message, Kiir lamented the continued inter-communal violence as a threat to the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement and expressed grieve over the Tonj violence.
“The gains we have made in the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement are being eroded by inter-communal violence across the country. We have lost many lives in Western Equatoria, Eastern Equatoria, Central Equatoria and Warrap States to inter communal violence,” Kiir said.
“Even more disheartening is the recent violence in Tonj North where many military personnel, including several senior officers lost their lives at the hands of our owned civilian population. These soldiers died at the hand of those they have sworn to protect. At personal level, I deeply regret their death and I convey my heartfelt condolences to their families and loved ones,” he added.
The South Sudanese head of state described the killing of both civilians and army officers as ‘senseless’ and said that justice must be served, but will not be collective and will only be dealt to those behind the killing.
“As a country, we cannot allow this senseless killing of both security personnel and civilians to continue. Justice must be served on behalf of those whose lives have been lost through this pointless violence,” he said.
“Let me remind everyone that the government will not engage in collective punishment when pursuing justice on behalf of those who have been killed. The government will not met out collective punishment, but it will hold those who have killed others accountable for their crimes,” he added.
I am doubt that, the President Salva Kiir Mayardit will punish high ranking officers in Tonj North county and Tonj as a whole. The most troubling makers in Tonj North county is general Akol Koor Kuc. His associates generals are behind the event in Tonj North county because general Akol Koor Kuc is taking side to defending his own community of Atok Buk Alok community and that is the fact on thd ground there.
General Akol Koor Kuc was accused in Jonglei State of arming Murle youths against their neighbors communities, does the President punished him? General Akol Koor Kuc is the one who generated problems between general Paul Malong Awan, does the President Salva Kiir Mayardit punish him? Unknown gunmen killing was created by general Akol Koor Kuc as general Paul Malong Awan found evidence but does the President Salva Kiir Mayardit punishes him? You can go with long lists of many accusations against general Akol Koor Kuc and President did nothing.
The real question is, are we have no others people who are capable to replace general Akol Koor Kuc? Why keeping him while diving the whole nation and even his own county Tonj North county?