A human rights body in South Sudan has expressed regret over the violations that South Sudanese citizens were subjected to on their way to their homeland by Sudanese regular forces, especially in White Nile State.
Peter Ngwojo Akwiny Chairperson of the Upper Nile Human Rights Commission, said in a statement to Radio Tamazuj on Friday that the South Sudanese returning to their homeland were subjected to repeated violations by Sudanese regular forces in White Nile State, including by assaults, looting and verbal abuse.
He revealed that during his visit to the border area in Wunthou and listening to the victims, he found out that the South Sudanese were subjected to attacks every month.
“I discussed the matter with the Commissioner of Al-Jebelain Locality in White Nile State, who visited Renk, and we agreed to discuss the issue through the security committees between Al-Jebelain locality and Renk County authorities,” he said.
The rights Commissioner cited the generous treatment that the Sudanese citizen received, including hospitality, within the framework of the relations that bind the two countries.
He pointed out that the participation of some South Sudanese with the Rapid Support Forces cannot justify the ill-treatment for all South Sudanese.
“I call on the White Nile State authorities to provide safe corridors for the returnees as they are making their way home,” he said.
Information has widely circulated about the exposure of South Sudanese citizens to attacks by the armed forces and the volunteers in Rabak, Al-Jebelain and Joda in the Upper White Nile State.
South Sudan has received increasing numbers of refugees and returnees over the past year. This is due to the devastating war in Sudan, which has been going on for more than a year now, forcing people to flee to South Sudan and other neighbouring countries such as Chad, Egypt and Ethiopia.