UN envoy appeals for end of violence in Jonglei

UN envoy to South Sudan, Hilde Johnson, called for the necessary end of violence in Jonglei state between Murle and Lou Nuer tribal communities, which led to the death of hundreds and the displacement of thousands of citizens. Johnson warned against the consequences of continuous fighting, urging the government of the South, men of religion, civil society organizations, and leaders of both tribes to play their designated role to achieve peace in the region. Johnson visited the town of Pibor and Fartait village in Jonglei, accompanied by head of the UN envoy to South Sudan, Commander Moses Obi, in addition to diplomatic representatives from the United States, France, and the United Kingdom. They met with residents and internally displaced persons (IDP) who returned to the region following the attacks, after receiving treatment at temporary clinic set up by UN Peacekeepers. Johnson stressed that the “cycle of violence” has to come to an end. “The people of Jonglei state from all sides have suffered enough. The safety and security of all must now come first. This means a committed, coordinated and cooperative drive by all concerned to achieve peace and stability,” she added. Johnson urged the government of the South to move swiftly to set up its peace team to deal with the problems in Jonglei and their root causes, working with church leaders, civil society groups and the tribal community leaders. On a different note, Sudanese Defense Minister Abdel Rahim Mohamed Hussein warned the Southern State of hosting enemies to Sudan. The Defense Minister’s statement was said at the Independence Day celebrations held in Sennar, following the US administration’s decision to halt the ban on the arms export to the Southern State. The Sudanese Minister – who was included in the list of wanted by the ICC for committing war crimes in Darfur – stressed on Sudan’s refusal to the decisions of the International Criminal Court, noting that they did not target neither the Sudanese President, Omar al-Bashir, nor the governor of South Kordofan Ahmed Haroun.