The Anyuak community in the diaspora has expressed concerns over the ongoing violence in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area’s (GPAA) Pochalla County and called for intervention, saying the civil population is bearing the brunt of what they described as ‘senseless war.’
Pochalla town has been witnessing intermittent clashes between armed Anyuak civilians and SSPDF soldiers since September 18, leaving several people dead and thousands displaced. The clashes were triggered by the killing of the former SSPDF commander, Col. Okony Okwom Othow, at his residence by fellow soldiers.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj over the weekend, Gora Hussein Odiel Gora, the leader of the Anyuak community in diaspora, said human rights violations were being perpetrated by the army against his community and demanded that investigations be instituted.
“Political differences between Pochalla County and the rest of the GPAA should have been handled administratively, but the national government decided to bring airplanes to attack the community,” Gora said. “It is now one month without food or medicines, and communication network has been cut while Pochalla is cut off from the rest of the country.”
He added, “We are coming out for the world to see what is happening in Pochalla. Col. Okony, whom the SSPDF murdered, is the son of Pochalla, who fought for freedom. So we are also calling for accountability and justice.”
Nyikola Oguul, another community member and widow to the former SPLA Chief of Staff , the late Gen. Kerbino Kuanyin Bol, also demanded accountability and justice.
“What is happening in Pochalla is injustice, and it was for this same reason that we fought for independence. The use of helicopter gunships against civilians is not justifiable whatsoever; this is marginalization,” she said. “Why not form a committee to address the concerns of the Anyuak? This country should not be ruled by neglecting certain communities. I was not even supposed to speak for the Anyuak because I am married to a Bahr el Ghazal Dinka with five children. Still, I can’t keep silent when women and children from Anyuak and the entire 64 tribes are suffering.”