Author: Wol Mapal | Published: 9 hours ago
FILE PHOTO: South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) – Courtesy
A civil society activist has urged the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and SPLA-IO to clearly designate safe zones for civilians amid rising tensions and planned military operations in parts of the country.
The call comes as renewed clashes between government forces and opposition groups continue to raise concerns about the safety of civilians, particularly in Jonglei and Unity states.
Since December last year, reports indicate a resurgence of violence involving SSPDF and SPLA-IO forces, with alleged support from the White Army militia in some areas. As tensions rise, both parties have warned civilians to evacuate certain areas ahead of expected heavy fighting.
Critics say these evacuation notices are unclear and may put civilians at greater risk.
Speaking to Eye Radio via WhatsApp on Wednesday morning, Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), called on both sides to specify safe locations for civilians fleeing conflict zones.
“The trend is, we have seen the statements that come official spokespersons of the conflicting parties, mainly the SSPDF and the SPLA-IO where they are telling civilians to vacate certain areas, while they did not provide any information on what we describe the safe location for civilians to evacuate.
“They just order civilians to leave certain parts of the country because they are going for military confrontations, and they didn’t provide the civilians safe roots for their safety and protection,” he said.
Yakani said while civilians are being told to leave their homes, no clear guidance has been given on where they can safely go.
He urged the armed forces to uphold their responsibility to protect civilians, stressing that international humanitarian law requires parties to a conflict to ensure the safety of civilians at all times.
“Protection of unarmed civilians by both SSPDF and SPLA-IO is important during the military confrontation among themselves. Therefore, as a civil society, I called on both parties to respect international and human rights laws. Whenever they are making an order declaration, they should also provide an information on the safety locations and safety roots for civilians, because an unarmed civilian is not a military target by any armed force,” appealed.
Yakani warned that failure to designate and respect civilian safety zones could result in unnecessary loss of life and worsen the humanitarian crisis in the affected areas.
