Kiir gives 21 days for Ngok-Twic conflict investigation

President Salva Kiir has yesterday given 21 days for the investigation of Ngok-Twic violence.

This was revealed during the swearing-in of the investigative committee that was administered by the Chief Justice, Chan Reech Madut.

Last week, conflict broke out between the community of Ngok in Abyei Administrative Area and Twic of Warrap state over the ownership of Aneet/Agok town.

In a statement from the Vice President for Service Cluster, Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, who heads the committee, president Kiir had directed the team to submit the fact-finding within 21 days.

“Immediately after being sworn in by the President of the Republic of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit as Chairperson of the fact-finding committee on Aneet incident, called for a meeting to review all the committee’s plans and activities ahead of touring the conflict-affected areas to investigate what triggered the clashes between Twic and Ngok, with a report to be presented to President in 21 days,” he said.

Akol noted that the committee was equipped with technocrats who would excavate the causes of the conflict over Aneet/Agok town that is contested by the two sister communities.

“The fact-finding committee encompassed of technical and dedicated personalities will tour the areas experiencing insecurity to deal with wide range of responsibilities towards restoring tranquillity,” he added.

According to the statement from the office of the President, the committee was formed to find out causes as a means of curbing related conflicts in the future.

“President Salva Kiir Mayardit formed the Investigation Committee on 24th February 2022, to investigate the Clashes that broke out on 10th February 2022 in Anet, and to come up with measures to deter the occurrence of such incidences in the future,” read the statement.

“The committee shall submit its findings and recommendations to the President of the Republic within 21 working days from the date of issuance of the order. The oath-taking ceremony was administered by the Chief Justice Chan Reech Madut in the Office of the President this morning.”

Committee formed

On February 24, 2022, Kiir formed the committee to probe the inter-communal conflict over Aneet/Agok between Ngok Dinka and Twic Dinka. He appointed the Vice President for Service Cluster, Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, to lead the delegation to establish facts of the conflict.

Gabriel Kiir William, the press secretary in the office of the vice president for service cluster, Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, stated that preparations were ongoing for the committee to embark on their journey to the affected areas.

“There are preparations underway to see that the problem between the two communities from different areas is brought to an end as soon as possible,” Gabriel Kiir said.

“The vice president will soon be travelling to the ground to find out from the local people what happened and report back to the president,” Gabriel said, adding the date for the journey has not yet been set.”

The high-level committee comprises fifteen members, headed Hussein Abdelbagi Akol and deputized with Joseph Nguen Monytuil.

The conflict left sixteen people dead and an unspecified number of people wounded, and several others displaced.

Massive displacement                                                                        

Two weeks ago, the governor of Warrap state Aleu Ayeny Aleu said an estimated 3,411 families have been displaced in Twic County following the clashes.

The Minister for Information in Warrap State, Ring Deng Ading said the displaced persons have been sheltering in Akoc Pannyok, Ajak, Turalei, Aweng, Majo Ngor, Anyen Kuac, and Ajak Kuac, in Twic County.

The chairman of South Sudan United Front/Army (SSUF/A), Paul Malong Awan had also cautioned against the escalating conflict between communities.

He called on the governments of the two areas to find a lasting solution, adding that it could disrupt peace and stability.

“The South Sudan United Front/Army (SSUF/A) has learned with great dismay of the clashes between Twic Mayardit and Ngok Dinka communities. From our analysis this conflict has the potential to threaten peace and stability among the two neighbours who have for a long-lived and coexisted peacefully,” Malong said.

“We call on the conscience of the regime in Juba to be mindful of its national obligations and initiate a quick response to prevent an escalation of the clashes.”

The governor of Warrap State also condemned the clashes and warned the two feuding communities not to fuel the conflict.

“I would like to take this opportunity to express my condemnation to this conflict and the enemies of peace on both sides and warn external forces who would exploit this situation to further their sinister agenda on the destruction of the independent Republic of South Sudan,” Aleu said.

“I appeal greatly to both communities (Twic and Ngok) as well as their community leaders and politicians to cooperate and halt this senseless and empty violence. Please restrain yourselves and allow the authorities of both areas and the national government to handle the situation and seek an amicable solution to this problem.”

Statistics

The fighting between Twic and Ngok communities took place on February 10, 11 and 12, 2022, with each community claiming ownership of Agok/Aneet town.

The statement from Abyei community indicated that seven (7) people were killed, 10 wounded, and women, children, and the elderly displaced, adding that many others were still missing.

It further showed loss of property through looting and destruction, with an alleged report of about 180 houses and shops burned to ashes.

“The outcome of the recent incitement acts by some officials from Twic County is now unfolding. In the past few days, armed groups from Twic County launched attacks on Agok/Aneet towns inside the Abyei Administrative Area,” the statement read in part.