GPAA promises to investigate Baidit killings
The administration of the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) has promised to probe the attack which left 32 people dead and 24 wounded in Baidit Payam, Bor County. 2,600 herds of cattle were also stolen and property burnt in the process.
The deputy administrator of Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA), John Joseph Abulla, told The City Review yesterday that they were committed to investigating the crimes committed by “suspected criminals from 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.
He stated that they had formed a committee in Gumuruk to monitor the border and investigate those involved. Abulla added that the GPAA government would not only wait for the results from the committee but would go to the grassroots to investigate and get hold of 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 will be able to monitor the border, whoever found with cattle, or involved in the attack will be apprehended and brought to book.”
On Wednesday, the Minister of Interior, Mahmoud Solomon Agok, and the Inspector General of Police, Majak Akech Malok, briefed President Salva Kiir Mayardit on their assessment of the security situation in Jonglei State after the Baidit attacks.
Mahmoud said they assured the citizens of the government endeavour to contain the situation after killings in Baidit as well as the church crisis.
Call to action
On Tuesday, the government of Jonglei State appealed to the Greater Pibor Administrative Area administration to take immediate action so as to investigate the mass killings.
The acting governor of Jonglei State, Tuong Majok Deng, said the attackers were enemies of humanity.
“As long as they are designated as enemies of humanity, they must be held accountable for their inhumane treatment and barbaric behaviour toward the state’s innocent populations,” said the acting Jonglei governor.
“We strongly condemn the attack, and we also want the authorities in our neighbouring Pibor Administrative Area to cooperate with us, to help trace the criminals’ identities for justice to take its course, for repetitive bullying to end, and for our collective roles in peaceful coexistence to prevail,” Deng stated.
Deng called for calm among the inhabitants of Jonglei State, adding that the government was investigating the incident in order to apprehend and bring to justice the attackers.
Deputy Governor of Jonglei State, Amb. Antipas Nyok De Kucha urged the GPAA government to cooperate so that the criminals are identified and prosecuted.
“The government of Jonglei State will do everything possible to find a lasting solution. We will be in communication and coordination with the leadership of GPAA to bring this to an end. We can’t continue to lose the souls of humans throughout history,” Amb. Antipas said.
The Jonglei State Minister for Health, Atong Kuol Manyang said she was traumatised by the incident, including the huge number of graves. She appreciated the health workers’ industriousness at such a trying time.
He said, “On behalf of the Jonglei State Ministry of Health, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the medical team from Bor State Hospital, Baidit and Aja Ding health facilities, as well as volunteers, for their restless days and nights between Baidit and the State Hospital transporting, receiving, and treating patients; private clinics like Alafia Medical Centre and Memorial for dressing supplies; and Health Partners (WHO, South Sudan Red Cross) for emergency kits.’’
The Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organisation, Edmund Yakani, accused some unidentified government officials of supporting criminal activities and said the state authorities should not view it as a normal action when attacks are carried out on civilians.
“When the armed youth were mobilising to carry out the attacks, why did the authorities fail to stop them from carrying out the act? Who is supporting them with ammunition, or who facilitates their access to ammunition? It is clear now that acts by armed youths are facilitated by some individuals in influential government positions,” Yakani said.
