The commissioner of Wau County in Western Bahr el Ghazal State has called out the SPLA-IO for allegedly abusing civilians in Baggari Payam.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Thursday, Commissioner George Wajok Tonga said SPLA-IO soldiers shot and killed an innocent man on 2 June and shot and wounded a farmer called Christo in his garden in Goko Payam the next day.
On 6 June, SPLA-IO forces at the Bringi checkpoint in Wau held four humanitarian aid workers who were travelling to Ugali Boma where they are constructing a health facility.
“It is disappointing in Baggari Payam because we are supposed to be implementing the agreement and enjoying peace and stability but the opposition (SPLA-IO) has been causing problems,” he said. “They killed a civilian and looted his motorbike and this is very disappointing. They do not even know why they are there in the forest. Secondly, they fired bullets and wounded a civilian called Christo, a farmer, they wounded him. Targeting civilians is not good.”
Commissioner Wajok said the SPLA-IO elements also arrested the head of the Women Training and Promotion (WATAP) on 6 June yet the organization is providing services to the people.
“The opposition forces are demanding 10 percent of USD 49,000 from a project WATAP is running. They are asking for USD 4,000,” he said. Which law gives them the power to ask for 10 percent from a civilian who just pledged to construct a school for development?”
Wajok cautioned the SPLA-IO against targeting civilians and committing crimes against the local populace.
“You all know that the past conflict has destroyed everything in the county and we have to rebuild so I am urging them (SPLA-IO) to stop the crimes they are committing against the civilians,” he said.
The commissioner also called on the SPLA-IO to shut down all illegitimate checkpoints in the county including the one in Bringi Boma southwest of Wau town.