A member of the National Legislative Assembly from the SPLM-IO representing Western Bahr el Ghazal State’s Jur River County has condemned the recent burning of villages in his constituency by elements from the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and National Security Service.
Juma Zacharia Deng accused the SSPDF and National Security of targeting areas under the control of opposition forces.
“I want to condemn the behavior of the SSPDF and National Security who are loyal to the SPLM Party for burning villages in Jur River County starting from Kubringap to Kwanya village,” he stated. “They are continuing this behavior.”
The legislator refuted claims that the government forces were acting to dismantle illegal checkpoints set up by the SPLA-IO. According to Juma, the decision to establish a checkpoint was made during a state security meeting that included all security organs.
“There are stories that they (SSPDF) went there to remove a checkpoint manned by SPLA-IO forces,” Deng explained. “That is not true because the security meeting in the state agreed to set up that checkpoint.”
He contends that checkpoints serve a critical security function, preventing criminals from moving across states, and insists that removing them is a strategy by the SPLM Party to weaken the opposition.
“Even in developed countries like the United States, there are checkpoints between states to enhance security,” he stated. “They are using the issue of the checkpoints to destroy the SPLM-IO in different areas of South Sudan.”
According to Deng, the SSPDF operations to dismantle checkpoints have resulted in arbitrary arrests and human rights violations.
“Eleven young men have been arrested by security organs loyal to the SPLM Party,” he revealed, saying government forces are threatening civilians in Jur River County to discourage them from supporting SPLM-IO.
The parliamentarian also cited reports of sexual violence, claiming five soldiers raped a young woman in the area.
He further accused the newly appointed SSPDF Division commander in Western Bahr el Ghazal State of issuing threats against SPLM/SPLA-IO leaders.
“The new division commander who replaced General Dau Aturjong openly stated in a video that they will go after General Gabriel Bolwek (SPLA-IO) even if he flees to the sky. This clearly shows he has received orders from Juba to eliminate SPLM/SPLA-IO in Jur River,” Deng said. “We will summon the (SSPDF) Chief of Staff to clarify what is happening in Western Bahr el Ghazal, particularly in Jur River. We will also summon the National Security Director to explain whether their role is to protect or harm citizens.”
Deng also criticized the state government for allegedly being involved in the crackdown against the opposition in the state, accusing the deputy governor of orchestrating the attacks.
“The deputy governor is behind these actions and he even met with local chiefs, demanding that they hand over General Gabriel Bolwek or risk facing consequences,” he charged.
The SPLM-IO lawmaker concluded by warning that the continued targeting of opposition members and civilians could escalate tensions and called for immediate intervention to prevent further human rights abuses.