UPA Condemns Collective Punishment of Upper Nile People by South Sudan Government

The United People’s Alliance condemns the South Sudan government’s collective punishment of the Upper Nile people following severe attacks in Nasir. The UPA urges protests against foreign military support and highlights the internal conflicts affecting peace efforts. The coalition stresses the need for international solidarity and the release of detained political leaders.

The United People’s Alliance (UPA) has officially denounced the South Sudan government’s alleged collective punishment of the Upper Nile populace. The UPA, a coalition formed in January2018 comprising the South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA) and other opposition factions, is currently participating in the Tumaini Initiative peace discussions in Nairobi, aiming for a unified command under their leader Gen. Pa’gan Amum Okiech.
Over the weekend, the town of Nasir experienced significant violence when the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) bombarded civilians using incendiary explosives, leading to 21 reported fatalities, including women and children. Local reports indicate that both the SSPDF and the United People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) of Uganda are implicated in these aerial assaults, which extended to other regions such as Longechuk and Akobo.
In a statement released by Lual Dau, the Secretary General and Official Spokesperson of the UPA, the group urged political and civil society leaders to voice their disapproval of foreign military involvement in South Sudan’s internal matters. The UPA characterized the violence as a form of collective punishment that adversely affects children, women, and the elderly, labeling it as “horrific, disturbing, and ultimately, genocidal.” They emphasized the lack of legitimate governance in South Sudan and the reliance on foreign troops, which they consider part of a broader genocidal agenda.
The UPA further insisted that the existing revitalized peace agreement, R-ARCSS, is effectively nonviable, suggesting that acknowledgment of its failure is crucial for establishing peace and addressing the conflicts plaguing South Sudan. They called for an immediate cessation of violence against Upper Nile residents and urged opposition groups and the youth to engage in peaceful solutions rather than criminal acts.
Additionally, the UPA placed a strong emphasis on the necessity of protests against governmental misuse of foreign forces and the urgent demand for the release of detained political figures, including First Vice President Dr. Rick Machar. They concluded by appealing to the regional and international communities for solidarity with the citizens of South Sudan in these troubling times.

The United People’s Alliance has vehemently condemned the South Sudan government for its aggressive tactics against the Upper Nile citizens, characterizing them as collective punishment with serious humanitarian implications. The UPA called for collective action among political activists and citizens while highlighting the failure of the current peace process and urging international support for peaceful resolutions. Their statements reflect ongoing concerns about governance, foreign military involvement, and the rights of imprisoned political figures.

Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org