South Sudan rebels say Kiir behind Western Equatoria ethnic violence

JUBA – South Sudan’s holdout opposition alliance, the South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA), led by General Thomas Cirilo Swaka has accused President Salva Kiir’s regime of being behind the ongoing violence in Western Equatoria state.

For weeks, violence between local communities has led into the displacement of at least 4000 people from their homes with unconfirmed number of people dying as results of ethnic targeting.

In a statement on Thursday, the SSOMA called for dialogue among the local communities which it said is being incited by politicians allied to the government of President Salva Kiir Mayardit.

“The South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA) continues to be concerned with the on- going communal violence between the Azande and Balanda communities in Western Equatoria State,” the statement extended to Sudans Post reads in part.

“SSOMA strongly abhors and condemns this ongoing killing of innocent people and destruction of their properties. On the 5th of July 2021, SSOMA had appealed to the warring communities of Azande and Balanda to exercise calm, stop the violence and engage in peaceful dialogue to stop the killings and address the conflict,” the statement said.

It added that the holdout opposition alliance “holds the regime of Salva Kiir responsible for fueling communal fights across South Sudan as a policy for creating chaos in-order to consolidate its grip on power to maintain the status quo.”

“It is the duty of any responsible government to maintain law and order; hence, this situation should have been arrested by now. Unfortunately, the Kiir regime and its cronies, especially those politicians who are expected to use their influence to stop the fighting among communities, are exacerbating the situation by advancing hate speech and inflammatory rhetoric.

“SSOMA is once again calling upon and strongly urging the leaders and politicians of the Azande and Balanda communities both at home and in Diaspora to intervene to stop this senseless killing of innocent people.

“The leaders of these communities must exercise leadership and need to pause and reflect on their coexistence, harmony and living together side-by-side as they have been doing from time immemorial.

“Once again, SSOM extends its heartfelt condolences to those who lost their family members and relatives. SSOMA urges humanitarian organizations and churches to come to the aid of the suffering and displaced people in Western Equatoria.”