Deputy Speaker condemns civilian killings in Magwi County

The First Deputy Speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly, Nathaniel Oyet Pierino, on Monday condemned the recent killings of civilians and destruction of property in Magwi County, Eastern Equatoria State.

 By Benjamin Takpiny

The First Deputy Speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly, Nathaniel Oyet Pierino, on Monday condemned the recent killings of civilians and destruction of property in Magwi County, Eastern Equatoria State.

 “We would like to condemn this in the strongest terms possible, the violence in Magwi County, which lead to loss of lives and property. We condemn the insecurity that has resulted from this incident,” said Oyet at a press conference held in Juba.

On January 31, fighting broke out between pastoralists and settled communities in Agoro, Chomboro, Obama and Ayiii villages in and around Magwi County, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said in a statement on Sunday.

Oyet called on the South Sudan National Police Services and the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) who are deployed in Magwi County, to take charge of law and order, security and safety of civilians, and their property.

 He said that it’s the mandate of law enforcement institutions, to ensure that law and order including   security is maintained throughout the country, and particularly in Magwi County.

“There is an increased number of youth-wielding weapons, and as a result, aggravating the level of displacements of the civilians’ community in Magwi County. The level of hate speeches used in social media, Facebook platforms, WhatsApp platforms, TikTok, and others have also gone a record high. That is hate speech against communities from all the communities who are affected is increasing,” said Oyet.

Oyet revealed that he has made consultations with the leadership of the parliamentary caucuses in Eastern Equatoria State and Jonglei State in a bid to resolve the tension between their two communities.

“I have also contacted the two Governors of Jonglei State and Eastern Equatoria State, and I will also contact the Governor of Central Equatoria State, to explore how we can arrest this situation from escalating further and restoring normalcy in Magwi County, and ensure that the farming community who are displaced can return back in safety to their houses,” he disclosed.

In addition, Oyet called for calm in Magwi County, particularly in the areas of Agoro and Nyolo, Aru, and Ndowe, and also urged security agencies to ensure safety of civilians and their properties in Magwi County.

“We are consulting on possible engagement meeting in a forum, which will bring all the leaders from the two communities involved in this crisis to have a forum where they can exchange ideas and explore possible resolution of this conflict, to ensure that there is peaceful settlement in areas where our civilians are living,” he said.

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