Yakani welcomes deployment of troops to quell Twic-Ngok violence

JUBA – The Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) Edmund Yakani has welcomed the deployment of South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) troops to curtail further perpetuation of violence in southern Abyei.

On Monday, armed men from Twic County of Warrap State attacked several areas in southern Abyei killing dozens of people.

The South Sudan People’s Defense Forces in Abyei said it has deployed hundreds of troops alongside the police to prevent further attacks or fighting between rival armed youth from the two neighboring communities.

In a statement extended to Sudans Post this morning, Yakani who has previously called on the government to find remedy to the continued fighting between the two communities welcomed the deployment of troops.

“CEPO strongly welcomes the positive response of the government for our advocacy for urgent intervention on prevention of the deadly violence going on between the armed youth of Twice Dinka and Ngok Dinka. This is good response,” Yakani said in the statement.

“CEPO says it is good that the leadership of the country responded positively by deploying the SSPDF soldiers to prevent deadly violence between Twice Dinka and Ngok Dinka in Aneet Market,” the outspoken activist added.

Yakani further warned the forces against involvement in illegal activities during their operations and urged full adherence to army ethics to avoid unlawful activities against the civil population in the areas where civilians are located.

“But these deployed forces required committed leadership that will ensure they will not be ending in causing more harm to the civilian population like what we have seen in some past incidences similar to the Aneet violence. The deployed SSPDF soldiers should be discipline enough and respect human rights of the communities in conflict,” he said.

“The leadership of the country should take responsibility of early prevention of armed political motivated violence among our communities. Twic Dinka and Ngok Dinka armed violence over Aneet ownership is senseless and it can be resolved through dialogue not armed violence,” Yakani stressed.

The prominent activist further appealed to President Salva Kiir Mayardit and the central government to “to tasked team for genuine resolution of the conflict between the Twice Dinka and Ngok Dinka over Aneet ownership.”