The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General to South Sudan, Hilde Johnson, issued the following statement through her spokesman yesterday following a two-day visit to Jonglei:
“Unless community leaders and government authorities take decisive action to stop the violence, stability in the whole of Jonglei state will be at stake. These reoccurring spates of violence are extremely serious and can jeopardize everything that has been achieved so far for peace and reconciliation in Jonglei. I am very worried, and strongly urge immediate action to be taken by government and community leaders to ensure stability. The cycle of violence must stop.”
Johnson visited earlier this week Walgak in Akobo County, where she met with local authorities, chiefs, community leaders and survivors of the most recent serious attack of 8 February in Wangar.
She also visited Pibor where she met with chiefs, community leaders, the Murle peace delegation and local authorities. She called for renewed efforts to protect all civilians while containing the threat from David Yau Yau. She called on him and armed youth aligned with him to halt all attacks. She also expressed her condolences to the community of Pibor for the suffering caused by the violence on 27 January, where many tukuls were burnt and people killed.
During her trip Johnson was accompanied by UNMISS Force Commander Major General Delali Johnson Sakyi, as well as the directors of civil affairs and human rights, who met with the governor of the state, Kuol Manyang Juuk, and other local government representatives in Bor, Walgak and Pibor.
File photo: UN Special Representative Hilde Johnson with the Jonglei state governor Kuol Manyang Juuk.