The Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), Edmund Yakani, has accused the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the SPLA-IO of using starvation as a weapon of war, following renewed fighting in Northern Jonglei State.
In a statement on Thursday, Yakani appealed directly to division, field and area commanders of both forces to immediately halt military confrontations around Walgak and Lankien, warning that civilians were bearing the heaviest burden of the violence.
“We have seen a renewal of military confrontation among yourselves around Walgak and Lankien,” Yakani said. “Your actions have turned starvation into a weapon of war against the civilian population.”
He said repeated clashes had forced thousands of residents to flee their homes in search of safety, despite already facing severe hunger and humanitarian hardship.
Yakani accused the rival forces of exposing civilians to death, displacement and the destruction of property, questioning how long military commanders intended to continue a conflict that was devastating the same communities they claim to protect.
“Your military confrontation is making civilians pay a very expensive price with their lives, their property and starvation,” he said. “All these actions amount to crimes.”
The civil society leader argued that ordinary South Sudanese were suffering because of a politically driven conflict among leaders, while those responsible remained removed from the consequences.
“The common civilian is always on the run for safety and protection, while political elites based in Juba are not paying the same price,” Yakani said, urging the parties to pursue dialogue instead of armed confrontation.
He also warned both forces against interfering with humanitarian operations, saying any attack on aid workers or misuse of humanitarian vehicles and facilities would violate international humanitarian law and could amount to war crimes.
Yakani cited reports showing a vehicle belonging to Save the Children had allegedly been used by SPLA-IO fighters, calling on the movement to investigate the incident and hold those responsible accountable.
He urged all armed actors to respect humanitarian agencies operating in conflict-affected areas, stressing that aid workers must never be targeted or prevented from assisting vulnerable communities.
Yakani concluded by calling on both the SSPDF and SPLA-IO to abandon military confrontation and embrace dialogue, saying continued fighting only deepens civilian suffering and undermines South Sudan’s prospects for lasting peace and stability.
