Thomas Wani Kundu, the head of South Sudan’s parliamentary information committee has lashed out at SPLA troops in Central Equatoria for attacking rebel positions in Katigiri area in Wonduruba Payam and for burning and looting civilians' properties.

"The government knows very well that there are rebels in the Katigiri area. But what concerns us is that a peace agreement has been signed and a ceasefire was declared by the two sides. So there is no any need for military movements from the two sides. Why did the army move to those people?” he asked.

In an interview with Radio Tamazuj broadcast on Thursday, Thomas stated that the SPLA attacked rebel positions at Katigiri area since last Sunday, saying clashes were still ongoing until yesterday.

Thomas who is representing Lainya County in the parliament accused the SPLA forces of shooting randomly at innocent civilians in the area. He said the army looted citizens' properties, ransacked the market and burned several houses, forcing citizens to run into the bush.

“Our forces that are supposed to protect the citizens, they started shooting randomly in a residential area,” he said. “Honestly, there is a massive displacement of citizens from Katigiri to Lainya and other areas like Ganji, about 45 miles from Juba and Kuerijik Bungu. There is displacement because the area is not secure,” he added.

The official said he did not know the reason for the random shooting at citizens in Wonduruba Payam. “I don’t know, there is no any reason because their role is to provide protection to the citizens. Instead of protecting the citizens, they started shooting randomly creating fear among the citizens,” he explained.

The lawmaker noted that Wonduruba payam has been entirely deserted by local residents. “All the people fled except a chief who is an elderly man, and there is an Indian Catholic pastor. Those are the only two persons who are in the area,” Wani said.

However, Wani did not give further details about how many civilians were killed and houses burned down by the SPLA forces in the area. He revealed that the number of people who fled the shooting to Lainya area can reach 7,000, besides over 600 displaced people in Ganji, and over 300 people others in Kuerijik Bungu.

The MP of Lainya County said he expected more influx of conflict-affected civilians to neighboring area. “There is no citizen there, it is a frontline. It is a place of clashes, up to now the sounds of guns are still being heard,” he said.

Wani described what happened in his constituency as “indiscipline”. He noted the displaced people are in deteriorating situations especially children, pregnant women children, and elderly people.

Related: 

CES govt forms fact-finding committee on Wonduruba violence (16 Sept.)

Civilians fleeing new conflict in rural Central Equatoria (14 Sept.)