President Kiir forms committee to probe Leer clashes

President Salva Kiir Mayardit has formed a seven-member committee to investigate cases of insecurity in Leer County, Unity State.

In a Republican Order number 14 readout on the state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), President Kiir named the committee headed by the Water Resources Minister, Manawa Peter, to investigate the clashes.

Manawa is the chairperson of the committee, while the members are Rizik Zachariah Hassan, Maj Gen Abboud Stephen, Kuong Dak Wiu, Chabur Goc Ali, Peter Ruai Gatwech, and Malong Thiik Ring.

Under the terms of reference, the committee is tasked with investigating the causes of incidents of insecurity that occurred in Leer County and coming up with measures to deter the occurrence of such incidents in the future.

The committee is expected to submit its report to the President within 14 days.

South Sudan’s Investigation Committees Act of 2006 permits the president to establish committees empowered to conduct hearings, issue summons, collect documents, and issue warrants of arrest for people refusing to appear before the committee without a valid reason.

Earlier this month, authorities in Unity State said at least 35 civilians have been killed in recent violence in Leer County.

Commissioner Stephen Taker Riak says the number could be far higher as many are still missing.

He pointed out that civilians were killed by gunmen during four days of vicious attacks in several villages in the area.

The attack came a day after rival SPLA-IO factions clashed at the Mirmir cantonment site.

“We found that the number of people who died is 35. These are pure civilians, and out of the soldiers who are fighting. On the side of Kitgwang or IO, we never know, but these are civilians that I am talking about,” the commissioner said.