Gatwech condemns attacks in Gadiang
The government of Jonglei State has condemned the attack on traders between Uror County and Gadiang road on January 28, 2022, in which seven traders were killed, six others wounded. Five victims went missing and 700 herds of cattle were also raided in the same incident.
This came less than a week after the Baidit attacks, which led to the deaths of 63 people, including three children who drowned.
The state secretary-general, Gatwech Koak Nyuon, on Monday, said the raid was an “unacceptable act against humanity.”
“We highly condemn such behaviour to cease for peace and stability to prevail in Jonglei State and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area,” he said.
He appealed to the administration of the Greater Pibor Administrative Area to investigate the incident and bring the bandits to book.
“We urge the authorities in Greater Pibor Administrative Area to partner with us to restore the trust of the people by bringing culprits to book,” he added.
He called on the bereaved families to observe calm as the government looks into the matter to make the law take its course.
Not guilty
After Jonglei State youth accused GPAA of attacks, the Secretary-General for External Affairs for the GPAA youth, David Ngiro Yangkon, denied that they were not the ones who attacked Baidit.
“With great concern, we have learned and seen a lot of accusation statements issued by several stakeholders accusing Murle youth of attacking Baidit Payam, Bor County, Jonglei State on January 23, 2022, in which they claim that 34 people were killed in the incident,” he said.
He blamed the attacks on the conflict that have been instigated by supporters of the defrocked Archbishop, Reuben Akurdid Ngong, and the ECSS-backed Archbishop, Moses Anur Ayom.
“We are here to condemn this false allegation levelled against Murle youth in the strongest terms possible. The attackers are believed to be the supporters of the two bishops who are fighting over ECSS leadership in Bor, Jonglei State, not the Murle youth who attacked them,” the statement read in part.
“We are guilty”
But the deputy chief administrator for Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA), John Joseph Abulla, told the City Review that they were committed to investigating the crimes committed by what he called “suspected criminals from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area.”
“Actually, what happened in Baidit was very unfortunate, and it is not acceptable. On behalf of Greater Pibor and on behalf of my chief, I condemn the attacks, and we also register our deep condolences to the families who lost their loved ones, and we will stand with them,” Abulla said.
“We will remain very vigilant to investigate and trace out those who committed the atrocities in Baidit so that they will be accountable for what they did. We are committed to cooperating and finding a lasting solution to the problem. Because we cannot just continue seeing our young men, children, and women dying without reason,” he added.
The deputy chief administrator said they had tasked a committee in Gumuruk to monitor the border and apprehend the bandits. He noted that their government would not just wait, but would go to the grassroots to arrest suspected criminals.
“On Monday, when we received the official call from the acting governor, I sent a team from Greater Gumuruk to join the commissioner so that they would be able to monitor the border. Whoever is found with cattle, or involved in the attack, will be apprehended and brought to book.”
Step to investigate
The Minister of Interior, Mahmoud Solomon Agok, and the Inspector General of Police, Majak Akech Malok, immediately after the Baidit incident, briefed President Salva Kiir Mayardit on the security situation in Jonglei State.
