Violence in many parts of South Sudan might escalate to uncontrolled war and genocide – Activist

A renowned activist has warned that continuous violence against people in numerous sections of the nation may lead to unmanageable warfare and genocide, and that the government’s primary goal should be to avert such tragedies.

This comes after three youths were carried to a nearby jungle by South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) troops in a community in Kajo-Keji County, Central Equatoria state, before being shot dead.

Kajo-Keji County Commissioner Kenyi Erasto explained that the SSPDF headquarters in Kajo-Keji had detained at least five troops who were being probed for the death.

Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), welcomed the arrest of the soldiers accused of involvement in the killing and stated that they should be tried in Kajo-Keji rather than being transferred to another location such as Juba.

“It was great to learn that the SSPDF ground commander had detained the SSPDF troops who had murdered the three male citizens.” This urges us to ask the Kajo-Keji communities to stay calm and not to interpret the law as their own,” Yakani added.

“The troops should not be sent for trial beyond Kajo-keji County because the odds of the soldiers walking free without facing competent court of law outside Kajo-Keji are high based on prior observations,” he said.

Yakani further cautioned that the leadership in Juba should prioritize genocide mitigation because continued killing in various regions of the nation may result in revenge killing and hence genocide.

“South Sudan’s leadership should take urgent steps to reduce state-based lethal violence and criminality.” “All of these terrible violence and criminal acts are sowing significant seeds of genocide,” he said, adding that “genocide prevention should be the government’s top concern right now.”