Youth in Jonglei have staged a peaceful demonstration in the state capital Bor, demanding more protection following a weekend cattle raids in Akobo that is said to have left more than one hundred people dead.
The youth under the umbrella group “The Great Akobo Youth Association” have handed a petition to the state governor, Kuol Manyang Juuk, calling for more deployment of troops and the return of all abducted women and children.
They are also calling for the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) to provide assistance to those who were affected by the weekend attack.
The chairperson of the Great Akobo Youth Association, James Tut Ria, said the communities in Greater Akobo have witnessed 18 attacks since the most recent disarmament operation was launched in March last year.
“As Lou Nuer youth, we condemn all these incidents that happened after the government of South Sudan disarmed Lou Nuer Community while Mulre youth are not disarmed. As per now, we blame the government of South Sudan and state government for failure to protect Lou Nuer civil population who are disarmed while president of Republic of South Sudan launched out the statement of disarmament in March 2010 that all guns must be taken out from hands of civilians and South Sudan forces (SPLA) should protect the disarmed population. Why Lou Nuer community is not protected,” says Ria.
The commander of operation restore peace in Jonglei, Maj Gen Butrous Bol Bol, however told Radio Miraya that the disarmament was done across all groups in Jonglei. He claims that the militants are receiving arms from Sudan, an accusation the Khartoum government strongly denies.