MPs urge gov’t to provide security to Upper Nile State

The Collo community members of parliament have called on the government to provide security to the people of the Adhidhiang area in Panyikang County, Upper Nile State.

In a press statement issued yesterday in Juba, the MPs criticised the attacks on defenceless and powerless civilians by armed elements in Upper Nile State.

They said the attacks led to the killing of an unknown number of civilians, not to mention others who drowned in River Nile as they sought safety.

Rebecca Joshua, the Chief Whip in the Reconstituted Transitional National Legislative Assembly, who addressed the media on behalf of the community urged the government to take serious action to end the conflict.

“We urge our government to take swift and serious action to apprehend the criminals and bring them to justice so that such incidents do not reoccur,” she said.

“We encourage all parties and communities to work for the country’s peace and stability.”

Also, the Collo legislators urged the ministry of humanitarian affairs to provide humanitarian assistance to the displaced people.

“We urge NGOs and all well-wishers to provide relief assistance to civilians who have spent long days and nights trekking to safety,” Joshua stressed.

According to NGOs, on September 8, 2022, the village of Adhidhiang in Panyikang County in the Upper Nile State was attacked, resulting in the displacement of over 8,000 people.

As per the reports, after the attacks on the Adhidhiang area, over 7,500 civilians were counted as having survived the attacks.

Last week, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) condemned the attacks and violence.

It accused the armed elements of targeting internally displaced people seeking refuge at the Adhidiang island site, which is located about 40 kilometres south of the state capital, Malakal.

“The latest attack triggered violent intercommunal clashes among some internally displaced persons within the UNMISS protection of civilians (POC) site, where UNMISS personnel responded quickly to restore order and provide robust security on site,” according to the statement.

UNMISS demanded that the attackers immediately cease hostilities and refrain from harming vulnerable civilians and internally displaced people.

The mission also urged state and national authorities to act quickly to de-escalate the situation and protect civilian lives.

“UN peacekeepers have been dispatched to save drowning civilians and protect the affected population. To enable a timely and collective response, the Mission is engaging all stakeholders involved, including feuding parties, authorities, and local communities,” the statement read in part.