By Yiep Joseph and Jacob Onuha Nelson
One Citizen Network for Democracy (OCND) is calling on peace parties to urgently intensify security and reconciliation measures over escalating conflict in Nasir County and other parts of Upper Nile.
In a statement released to the media, OCND warned of the potential for further bloodshed and demanded immediate intervention to end the ongoing violence.
The conflict in Nasir County, which involves armed civilians and the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), has resulted in numerous fatalities, many injuries, and the displacement of dozens of people.
The parties involved in the peace agreement continue to engage in a blame game. The SSPDF claims that those fighting are not civilians, but rather militia members affiliated with the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO). Conversely, the SPLA-IO accuses the SSPDF of attacking civilians and has called for an end to further military deployments.
Several neutral voices, including activists, have appealed to both the SSPDF and SPLA, as well as armed civilians, to cease violence and prioritize dialogue.
Adding voice to the previous calls, OCND reiterated and urged peace parties to seek avenues that promote peaceful coexistence among local communities and government forces.
“The organization called for enhanced security and reconciliation efforts to prevent further bloodshed and promote peaceful coexistence among local communities,” the statement read.
“We are appealing to the local authorities, state government, and national government to investigate and bring the perpetrators to book,” it added.
The organization called on the government to investigate the ongoing conflict in Nasir and other parts of Upper Nile State and make sure that the perpetrators are brought to book.
OCND also called on the SSPDF and SPLA-IO to cease the ongoing conflict in Western Equatoria and Western Bahr el Ghazal.
The organization called on the South Sudanese to embrace dialogue and ensure that it is the best avenue for solving misunderstandings.