Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), Edmund Yakani, has called upon various communities in Malakal town and other areas of Upper Nile to embrace peaceful coexistence and promote a spirit of unity.
The appeal follows reports of division, revenge killings, and targeted killings in parts of Upper Nile.
“As a civil society activist, I would like to communicate to the sons and daughters of Upper Nile State that whether you like it or not, you have to peacefully co-exist,” Yakani stated in a statement on Sunday.
He urged communities in the state to abandon violence and instead focus on dialogue as the only viable means to resolve their misunderstandings.
“For you to exist peacefully, you need to avoid a culture of targeted killing, a culture of revenge attacks, a culture of extra-judicial killings, human rights abuses, and political discrimination in the state. You need to accommodate each other,” he emphasized.
Yakani further added, “For you to accommodate one another, you need to embrace dialogue as a means of resolving your differences or grievances, not violence.”
The activist underscored that violence invariably leads to loss of life and suffering.
He further noted that influential individuals, alongside community involvement, exacerbate the unrest in Upper Nile State, cautioning instigators to cease their actions and instead prioritize reconciliation.
The activist also revealed that civil society organizations are documenting the activities of those inciting conflict, with the intention of publicly naming them.
“On a separate note, I would like to communicate this to individuals who are fueling violence in Upper Nile State along tribal lines: all your actions will be documented, and we will soon be naming you,” he warned.
He further stated, “We will soon name you, and we will soon bring your actions to the attention of the public, and you will not go unpunished for fueling violence.”
“My appeal to you (those fueling conflict) is to stop it now, stop it now before we start naming you. Stop it now and embrace dialogue rather than using violence as a means of resolving your differences,” he pleaded.
Malakal residents reported alleged targeted attacks, with members of the Nuer ethnic group expressing fear amid heightened tensions.
According to residents, this follows ongoing clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the White Army in Ulang County, approximately 152km from Malakal.
However, police authorities have denied these allegations, maintaining that the security situation remains normal.
Upper Nile State Police Commissioner Gen. Mayen Akon stated that only one incident had been recorded by the police – an individual attacked and injured in the market.
“We heard the victim was holding money, but I can confirm it was not a fight. He was taken to hospital after filing a police report,” he said.
When questioned specifically about claims of attacks targeting the Nuer community, Police Commissioner Mayen dismissed them as untrue, asserting that Malakal’s security situation remained stable.
“We visited the market after the incident, and everything was normal. The victim received treatment, but I am unsure if the attacker was arrested,” he added.
