Alarming reports of gun violence in this country continue to overshadow developmental activities of citizens across various states.
It is disheartening to note that Jonglei State consistently ranks among the top ten states affected by gun violence, as highlighted in a recent report by the One Citizen Network for Democracy (OCND).
The report reveals that gun violence has plagued many of the ten states and three administrative areas in the country. Jonglei State leads with a staggering 48 reported incidents, accounting for 20.5% of the total attacks.
Following closely are Eastern Equatoria with 40 incidents (17%), Lakes State and Central Equatoria each with 32 incidents (13.7%), and Warrap State with 21 incidents (9%). Other states affected include Unity State (15 incidents, 6.4%), Western Equatoria and Abyei Administrative Area (12 incidents each, 5.1%), Greater Pibor Administrative Area (7 incidents, 3%), Upper Nile State (5 incidents, 2.1%), Western Bahr-el Ghazal (4 incidents, 1.7%), and both Northern Bahr-el Ghazal State and Ruweng Administrative Area with 3 incidents each (1.3%).
There have been many reports indicating that the instigators of inter-communal violence are either politicians or community leaders of the same area. Any politician who marshals a community against another community should be condemned in the greatest terms possible.
The country should not condone attacks and counterattacks among communities who should be working for the development of this country at this time of tranquility. The government should immediately investigate the cause of the violence and those found guilty should face the sword of the law of the land.
This is the only way to restore order in the state. Unfortunately, the latest attack that started last week needs investigation so that criminals are answerable to the case, this time the perpetrators should be held accountable for the atrocities committed including the burning of houses, looting of civilian properties and rape. As the situation appears to be tense, anything possible should be done to avoid similar clashes.
It is worth mentioning that the state government under Governors had to form a high-level committee to investigate and resolve the public disorder in the area. The committee should begin by cracking those behind the scene, especially the community leaders who are influencing the youth to fight against each other. Transparency in this case should be one of the committee’s principles and whoever is taking sides should not be a member. The citizens of this country have suffered enough due to violence.
This country for many years has continued to lose lives of innocent civilians due to community leaders who influence youth to fight each other. We must therefore learn to work for justice if we want peace to prevail in this country.
God Protect South Sudan
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