An advocacy group formed by members of the internally displaced persons sheltering at the UN camp in South Sudan’s capital Juba has denied claims by the government that some displaced people attacked government soldiers at the Jebel Checkpoint area on Friday.
The body named South Sudanese Internally Displaced Persons Civil Society Organization (SSISCO) was formed recently and selected Kilkil Sammy Lony from Youth for Change Organization to head the new civil society.
KilKil Sammy, chairperson of the advocacy group, told Radio Tamazuj that the government’s claim is an attempt to harm the conflict-displaced people. “The government wants to attack and kill the civilians who are inside the camp like what it did in Malakal and Bor,” said Kilkil.
He further said the conflict-displaced families remained inside the UN camp since July, saying they are all civilians without guns. Kilkil accused security agents of failing to control the security situation in Juba. He added that unknown criminals are reported everywhere in the city.
On Friday, Lul Ruai Koang, spokesman of the SPLA forces, accused the United Nations of harboring armed elements inside its camps in South Sudan.
Speaking to reporters, Lul claimed that members of the armed opposition faction allied to former vice president and opposition leader Riek Machar attacked a government position at the Jebel Checkpoint area on Friday morning.
Heavy shooting was heard around 5:00 am at the Jebel Checkpoint area near the UN camp in Juba. Reportedly, displaced women were not allowed to leave the camp since yesterday and that water suppliers also stopped to take water to the area due to insecurity.