UPA Condemns Collective Punishment of Upper Nile Citizens by South Sudan Government
The UPA has condemned the South Sudanese government’s collective punishment of Upper Nile citizens, citing recent bombings causing civilian casualties. The alliance, formed of various opposition groups, calls for an end to the violence and urges international support for affected communities, highlighting the ineffectiveness of the R-ARCSS and advocating for the release of political detainees.
On Tuesday, the United People’s Alliance (UPA) denounced the South Sudanese government’s actions in Upper Nile as collective punishment against its people. Established in January, the UPA combines the South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA) and other opposition groups engaged in peace talks facilitated by the Kenyan government. General Pa’gan Amum Okiech leads the coalition as Chairperson and Commander-in-Chief.
Recent events in Nasir, Upper Nile State, included bombings by the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) with incendiary devices, which resulted in civilian casualties and significant destruction. Local reports indicated that 21 civilians were killed, among them two women and two children, during the attack, which locals attribute to both the SSPDF and the Ugandan military’s intervention in South Sudan. Aerial assaults have also targeted other regions, such as Longechuk and Akobo.
Lual Dau, Secretary General and Official Spokesperson for the UPA, urged political activists to oppose the government’s reliance on foreign soldiers to quell South Sudanese dissent, warning that such actions could lead the country back into conflict. The UPA characterized this tactic as not only horrific but also genocidal, underscoring the lack of a legitimate government and the alarming increase in violence amidst a backdrop of tribalism and impunity.
The UPA firmly declared that the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) is effectively defunct and emphasized the need for all stakeholders to acknowledge this reality to enhance prospects for peace. The alliance demanded an immediate halt to the systematic destruction faced by Upper Nile residents by the government and their affiliates.
Additionally, the UPA has called for the opposition and youth to abstain from participating in these actions and instead unite in the quest for lasting solutions to conflict. They stressed the importance of international support and urged for the immediate release of First Vice President Dr. Rick Machar and detainees under the National Security Act, reiterating calls for solidarity with the people of South Sudan during this critical time.
The United People’s Alliance’s condemnation of the South Sudanese government’s actions reflects a vital call for accountability and peace negotiations. With the acknowledgment of the R-ARCSS’s failure, the UPA urges solidarity among all factions seeking peace while opposing the government’s reliance on foreign military support to continue its agenda. The emphasis on protecting civilians and addressing the root causes of violence remains a crucial step towards peace in the region.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
