Authorities in Northern Bahr el Ghazal have reported a series of deadly attacks in the northern parts of the state and areas south of Meiram Locality, Sudan, resulting in the loss of 10 lives, including three soldiers from the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF).

The assailants are also accused of engaging in looting and kidnapping activities.

William Kolong Pioth, the Regional Peace Coordinator in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, told Radio Tamazuj on Thursday that Misseriya tribesmen are responsible for the brutal killing of ten South Sudanese nationals, including soldiers, in the Warn Ayen area of Aweil East County over the past five days.

“In the War Ayen area, we have received reports that two SSPDF soldiers were killed by suspected Misseriya criminals over the past five days. Additionally, six South Sudanese returnees were looted and killed. Furthermore, another South Sudanese returnee was killed after being looted just before yesterday (Monday), bringing the total number of fatalities to ten,” Pioth stated.

He also revealed that eight children were abducted during the attacks, with four of them later reuniting with their families. However, the whereabouts of the remaining four children remain unknown. He said, “We received this information from the joint-border peace committees.”

Akot Kuol, a resident of the border town Warawar, disclosed that he learned about the murders of three South Sudanese nationals on the Majak Wuoy road a few days ago.

Responding to the tragic incident, Angelina Agau Thiep, the Project Manager for Women Intellectual Networks (WIN), strongly condemned the attacks and called on the state government to develop effective security plans to safeguard citizens from such threats.

“We vehemently condemn the killing of ten people. What measures are the government and leaders taking in response to this? It is imperative that strategic security plans be put in place to ensure the protection of every citizen,” Thiep emphasized.

She further expressed the role of civil society organizations in fostering peace among different communities in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State and ensuring a peaceful and safe environment for all residents and visitors. By Radio Tamazuj

NEW YORK

The US condemned on Thursday the ongoing human rights violations, abuses and horrific violence in Sudan including reports of widespread sexual violence and killings based on ethnicity by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias.

"The atrocities occurring today in West Darfur and other areas are an ominous reminder of the horrific events that led the United States to determine in 2004 that genocide had been committed in Darfur," the State Department said in a statement.

"We specifically condemn the killing of West Darfur Governor Khamis Abbakar on June 14 after he accused the RSF and other forces of perpetrating genocide."

The conflict-hit African nation has been engulfed by violence again for weeks between the Sudanese army and the RSF paramilitary group two decades after a conflict broke out.

Up to 1,100 civilians have been killed in El Geneina alone, according to estimates of local groups.

The UN says more than 273,000 people are displaced in West Darfur state.

While the atrocities taking place in Darfur are primarily attributable to the RSF and affiliated militia, both sides have been responsible for abuses, said the State Department.

The US also accused the Sudanese army of failing to protect civilians and stoking conflict by encouraging mobilization of tribes.

It called on both sides to cease fighting in the area, control their forces, and hold accountable those responsible for violence or abuses, and enable delivery of desperately needed humanitarian assistance.

Disagreement had been fomenting in recent months between the two sides about the integration of the RSF into the armed forces -- a key condition of Sudan's transition agreement with political groups.

Sudan has been without a functioning government since the fall of 2021, when the military dismissed Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok's transitional government and declared a state of emergency in a move decried by political forces as a "coup."

The transitional period, which started in August 2019 after the ouster of President Omar al-Bashir, had been scheduled to end with elections in early 2024. Anadolu Agency