SSPDF implicated in Twic, Abyei conflict
The South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF) Division 3 has been accused of stirring violence between the Twic community of Warrap state and Ngok Dinka of the Abyei Administrative Area.
This has been revealed by the fact-finding committee recently established by President Salva Kiir to probe events that led to the violence in February this year.
The Secretary of this ad-hoc committee Dhieu Mathok Diing, also the Minister for Investment on Monday cited the subtle hand of some SSPDF officers in the violence that erupted on February 10th at Aneet market that left over 20 civilians killed.
“We came to realize that the forces (SSPDF) which were there either infantry division three in Majak Kon or the Abyei independent brigade, the soldiers divided themselves into ethnic lines, they were highly involved, these soldiers identified themselves with the communities,” Mathok told journalists in Juba.
He disclosed that the conflict stems from a long-running bitter dispute over boundaries separating the two communities.
Mathok suggested the problem could be quickly resolved when the national boundary commission comes in to demarcate the boundaries.
The fact-finding probing the violence is headed by Hussein Abdelbagi, the Vice President for Service Cluster.
Mathok said that they have recommended the establishment of a special court to handle atrocities and human rights violations committed during the violence such as murder, looting and destruction of properties.
“We believe the Ministry of Justice and the Chief Justice are going to see that the court is established and functioning. We also need robust security measures, our thinking is that we need new personnel (security) in the area,” said Mathok.
