Watchdog ‘disturbed’ by war of words on social media over Kajo-keji killings

JUBA, FEBRUARY 5^th 2023 (SUDANS POST) – South Sudan’s Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) has expressed concerns over exchange of statements on social media over last week’s killings of almost 30 civilians in Kajo-keji country of Central Equatoria state.

On Thursday, gunmen believed to be rebels from the National Salvation Front (NAS) led by General Thomas Cirilo’s Swaka attacked cattle camps belonging to the Bor community, killing at least five civilians.

The cattle keepers responded by attacking villagers killing at least 21 innocent civilians, mostly young men.

In statements, Gen. Cirilo, Simon Gatwech, First Vice President Riek Machar, and other political actors issued statements to condemn the killing with Kiir’s party blaming the cattle keepers for the run-away violence in the Equatoria region.

In a statement, CEPO expressed concerns over the exchange of statements and noted that propaganda was being involved by those issuing the statements.

“CEPO said disturbed with the trend of exchanged information about the then developing violent situation in some parts of Kajo-keji county of Central Equatoria State,” CEPO said in the statement extended to Sudans Post.

“The contradictory and countering statements including the growing hostile propaganda and hate speech about Kajo-keji county violent situation in some parts may lead to worst deadly violence that constitute further gross human rights violations that may end up as genocide or crime against humanity,” the statement added.

Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization called for intervention of President Salva Kiir Mayardit and the governors of Jonglei and Central Equatoria state.

“The president and the state governors of Jonglei and Central Equatoria urgently need to intervene,” Yakani said.