Magenis Fighting: Thousands displaced, many in need of shelter, food, and medication.
NCMP
August 13, 2021
Fighting between opposing groups of South Sudan First Vice President Riek Machar’s SPLA-IO has displaced many residents in Magenis, a relief official said.
Speaking in a report seen by NCMP, The Humanitarian Aid Commission director, Victoria Arop mentioned that displaced families need help and that their condition is terrible. She disclosed that the number of the displaced families can’t be ascertained yet, but Magenis used to hold 20,000 people, and it is therefore believed that many people fled.
According to her, some displaced began returning on Thursday, but she confirmed that many are still very scared.
The displaced family are slowly returning home, but we have alerted our humanitarian partners. “There is no food or water for women and children,” she said.
The Youth leader, Edward Ogaw speaking in the Radio Tamazuj report, also acknowledged that many that fled outside Magenis are in need of help (medical and also food supplies). He broached that some have been relocated due to the conflict.
Ogaw encouraged competing SPLA-IO factions to stop fighting and engage in diplomacy. He mentioned that the two groups should allow a true peace that can lead to stability in our country.
Post-fighting tranquility has returned to Magenis, according to deputy military commander Zachariah Luany. Those who fled are returning. “Heavy machine guns and explosives were employed last week, so civilians left,” he added.
No people were wounded in the battle, the officer added.
On Saturday, opponents of Machar said he had been ousted as leader of the SPLM-IO and its military branch in Magenis, Upper Nile State. Armed troops commanded by SPLA-IO opposing general Simon Gatwech Dual fought Machar’s men.
The current conflict from Machar’s own party threatens to destabilize the already shaky September 2018 peace agreement.
The SPLM-IO splintering “goes beyond an intra-party issue” and “has major immediate and long-term repercussions” for South Sudan, the IGAD warned Monday.
