The Executive Director for Community Empower for Progress Organization (CEPO) Edmund Yakani has condemned the attack in Tonj North of Warrap state by Youth from Mayom County of Unity state.
According to the statement extended to the media, Yakani expressed disappointment over the incident citing that happened at the time when the state is under disarmament.
This week a least 15 people were killed and 24 others injured in Warrap State’s Tonj North County when armed youth from Unity State’s Mayom County carried out a cattle raid on Monday.
Tonj North County Commissioner Mawein Akech Maweinconfirmed the attached and cited that it was carried by youth from Mayom county of Unity state.
Meanwhile his counter part James Lilly Kuol, the commissioner of Mayom County, confirmed that five youths from his jurisdiction were killed in action in Tonj North County.
Activist Yakani urged the government to ensure comprehensive disarmament in Mayom county of Unity state and Warrap state as well.
He condemned the act and urged the government to quickly intervene in order to avoid escalation of the conflict.
“I would like to take this opportunity to strongly condemn the deadly armed cattle raiding that took place this week on Monday carried out by Youth from Mayom County of Unity state in which the launched deadly cattle raiding to cattle camp located in Tonj North of Warrap” he said
He added that despite the ongoing state of emergency the conflict continues to persist hence there is need to seek for better solution such as comprehensive disarmament.
“Normal we describe state of emergency as the short term but the durable solution is required and the durable solution is comprehensive disarmament of our armed communities” he said.
“If we are carryout the disarmament among the areas with state of emergency, we need to make it comprehensive” he added.
The activist urged the communities to cease from all forms of violent adding that violent only bring destruction to the people.
This violence comes at a critical moment in South Sudan’s political and social trajectory. Just days before the attack, the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) launched a disarmament campaign across Warrap and Unity States, urging youth to voluntarily surrender illegal weapons within a week.
SSPDF Spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang warned that failure to comply would trigger coordinated forceful disarmament.