Watchdog calls for independent probe into Kajo-keji killings

JUBA, FEBRUARY 6^th 2023 (SUDANS POST) – A South Sudan civil society watchdog is calling for an independent investigation into last week’s attacks in Kajo-keji County of Central Equatoria state in which 27 people were killed.

On Thursday morning, suspected elements from the National Salvation Front (NAS) led by Gen. Thomas Cirilo Swaka attacked a cattle camp belonging to the Bor community killing at least six people who are all children and women.

The Bor community pastoralists responded, but by attacking villagers at Lire Payam of Kajo-keji resulting in the killing of at least 21 people – also mostly children – and the displacement of more than 2000 people.

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) yesterday issued a statement condemning the attack and called on the government authorities to exercise its supposed duty to protect its citizens.

In a statement this morning, the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) welcomed the UNMISS condemnation and called for independent investigation, warning that subnational violence is taking many lives in an unprecedented rate.

“CEPO welcomes the press release of UNMISS leadership on the situation of Kajo-keji killing. It is essential that protection of civilians is taken seriously by the UNMISS and really independent investigation into this incident is required like what happened in relation to some previous similar deadly violence in some parts of the country,” the statement said.

“The scale of the incidences that claim human lives and properties across the country is disturbing and it is shape across the country,” it stressed.

Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director of CEPO called on the president to “convene an urgent meeting with the governors of Central Equatoria and Jonglei states to direct them with those from the national security organs to expedite the investigation in order to mitigate the violent situation in Kajo-keji.”

“Commissioning independent investigation for the Kajo-keji killings is essential,” he stressed, warning that “Global attention for viewing genuine attempts for resolving Kajo-keji violence is high and this Kajo-keji offer serious test for the government in terms of take serious and lawful responsibility for making Justin and accountability prevail.”