South Sudan’s presidency denied allegations by the king of Shilluk in Fashoda that Kiir’s government is carrying out ethnic cleansing of his tribe in Upper Nile State.
Last week, Kwongo Dak Padiet, the king of Shilluk tribe said the government was committing abuses and human rights violations against the Shilluk tribe and other ethnicities in several areas in the Upper Nile region.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Friday, Ateny Wek Ateny, South Sudan’s presidential spokesman, strongly denied the allegations, describing Kwongo’s accusations as “illogic”.
He pointed out that the government respects the king of Shilluk and his tribe, adding that the government cannot target the Shilluk tribe in Upper Nile.
Ateny claimed that the SPLA forces did not entre Fashoda area because they respect the Shilluk king, while accusing the Agwelek forces allied to Gen. Johnson Olony of launching attacks on government troops from Shilluk land.
However, Ateny said the area of Wau Shilluk is now a battle field.
Photo: Shilluk (Chollo) dancers at a wedding in Malakal (Radio Tamazuj)