South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit has declared a state of emergency in the conflict affected areas of Warrap state and some part of Unity state.
Through a series of presidential decrees broadcast on state-run South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), president Salva Kiir declared six months state of emergency in the whole of Warrap state and Mayom County of Unity state.
This declaration comes after a series of conflict in Tonj East and of Warrap and Mayom county in Unity state.
Warrap state government confirmed that the conflict in Tonj East has led the death of over 60 people while insecurity continue to persist.
The move places Warrap and Mayom under effective lockdown, with restrictions expected on civilian movement.
In respond to the state of the Emergency declared by the President, some members of the public rejected the move, adding that it cannot bring solution to the conflict.
Ajak Kuol, from Centre of Peace at University of Juba, expressed the conflict in Tonj of Warrap and Mayom in Unity state does not require state of emergency but dialogue.
He emphasized on the need for government to place more efforts in ensuring dialogue among the conflicting parties rather than forceful means.
“We can not use military means or government force to stop the conflict, what Warrap and Mayom county need is dialogue and all disputes between resolve in that means using force and restriction can worsen the situation” Kuol said.
He urged the national government to reverse the directives adding that it would worsen the already fragile situation.
“It was a decree but i urged the leaders to reverse such declaration and focus on using civilians to civilians to bring peace rather restrictions” he said
He further urged the residents in the areas under emergency to drop guns and cooperate with the state government in creating peace and stability.
“I appealed to the communities to cease hostilities, drop their guns and ensure that peace is restore in the areas where state of emergency is declared” he said.
On separate statement extended to the media, Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director for Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) called on the government to focus on peace through dialogue.
“We need peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict in Tonj of Warrap state, Mayom County as well as other part of the country, it can be done through dialogue” Yakani said.
He added that the inter-communal conflict needs double effect to curves rather than declaration of state of emergency.
Yakani appealed to the South Sudanese to embrace peace and reconciliation.
On his part John Kur an activist in Warrap state expressed disappointment on hearing the decision of state of emergency despites the ongoing suffering of the people due to conflict.
“I was disappointed when i heard that the President has declared state of emergency at the time the conflict in Tonj East has left many people displaced and dire need of humanitarian assistant” he said
He called on the government to relax the state of emergency and give dialogue a chance to bring stability to the areas.
Kur emphasized that the state of emergency put restrictions on the people who are already suffering from the conflict.
