By Charles K Mark
South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) spokesperson has lushed at activist for making outrageous allegations that the army attacked civilians in Nasir.
Talking to No. 1 Citizen Daily Newspaper, on Sunday, SSPDF spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang said he would only respond to such accusations if the right people raised the complaints.
“These people are just making noise to attract funding; we cannot respond to such things,” the army spokesperson reacted.
Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) had issued a statement, condemning a reported fighting between civilians and the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF).
According to the statement issued on Sunday, some SSPDF forces, at around 10:00 p.m., attacked two fishermen at Torjuoch River, killing one and injuring another.
CEPO’s boss, Edmund Yakani, stated that on Sunday morning, SSPDF forces travelled to an area called Dàwech Kuanylual Thoan and attacked some civilians in an attempt to steal their cattle.
He reported that, a number of civilians have been displaced after some houses around the Presbyterian Church in Nasir Town on the riverside, near an old MSF camp, were allegedly burned by the SSPDF.
“This is an unacceptable act from the SSPDF, and the leadership of the SSPDF should take serious measures against the misconduct and indiscipline behaviors of some of the SSPDF soldiers and their leaders,” he urged.
CEPO attributed the alleged misconduct, including the delay in salaries, to the organized forces.
The activist slammed the failure of state governors and their county commissioners to discipline lawless soldiers.
“SSPDF’s aggressive behaviors towards the civil population recently are rising, and it requires an urgent response by the leadership of the country and that of the military,” Yakani appealed.
Several complaints against the misconduct of the soldiers have recently been reported in Gondokoro and Kajo-Keji, and the latest is now in Nasir.
“This act of the SSPDF is contributing strongly to civilians’ loss of trust and confidence in the looming elections and the possible voluntary return of IDPs and refugees,” Yakani observed.