Killing of civilians in Malakal, Rumbek unacceptable – Yakani

JUBA – Prominent South Sudan activist and Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) Edmund Yakani has condemned yesterday’s killing of six people including a woman in Upper Nile state’s capital Malakal and the Wednesday killing of a man in Lakes State’s capital Rumbek by security forces.

Yesterday, security forces clashed with protesters in Malakal. The protest was sparked after the government decided to transferred many civil servants to counties and other smaller administrative units from the state capital Malakal.

According to police authorities, six people including a woman were shot dead by the police and nine others including a police officer were wounded.

The police authorities claim that the protesting government employees were throwing stones at the police resulting in the deadly shooting.

One Wednesday night, a patrol officer belonging to the police authorities in Lakes state shot dead a man who was allegedly going to Rumbek hospital at night as his pregnant wife was about to give birth.

In a statement, Yakani condemned the killing and urged the authorities to bring to justice those behind the criminal activities.

“CEPO condemns the recent incidences where civilians are shot by soldiers in Rumbek and Malakal. This is worse development and perpetrators among the uniform soldiers should be held accountable by the government in both locations Rumbek and Malakal for these unacceptable acts,” Yakani said in the statement extended to Sudans Post.

The prominent activist said “members of the security institutions should take responsibility of respecting rule of law and human rights including acting unlawful Manner. The country is in political transitional process that requires high degree of responsibility for respecting and promoting democratic transformation.”

“So, ensuring promotion and respect of human rights, rule of law, acting lawful including adherence to the principle of civil-rule is essential,” Yakani added, further “urging the moral and orientation units of our defense and security institutions should take responsibility to discipline and oriented the sliders.”