The South Sudan People’s Defence Force (SSPDF) is being urged to look into the “attempted murder of the Abyei Special Administrative Area Minister of Local Government and Rumamer County commissioner” as soon as possible by the Abyei Civil Society Organisation (ACSO).
Ayuel Kiir, the commissioner of Rumamer County, was reportedly shot at by SSPDF forces stationed in Agok and Aneet, which are meant to protect the Abyei-Twic border in the event of violent conflicts. Adhieth Weng, the Abyei area minister for Local Government, was being received by Kiir while he arrived from Juba.
The SSPDF leadership was encouraged by the ACSO in a press conference on Monday to form a committee to look into the issue as soon as possible and remove the forces from public institutions so that civilians can receive services.
In order to guarantee seamless service delivery operations, Arop Ajuong, Chairperson of the Abyei Civil Society Organisation (ACSO), is pleading with the South Sudan People’s Defence Force (SSPDF) leadership to look into the shooting event as soon as possible and remove troops from public institutions.
Three hours after the incident, we as the ACSO went to the scene with the local chiefs. We discussed the issue with Major General Joseph Kuai, the regional commander. Ajuong said, “The commander said he didn’t notify military officials right away but promised to do so later.
Ajuong vehemently denounced the event, pointing out that it had similarities to earlier instances that had already led to the demise of Abyei’s former minister for land and housing, former minister for local government, and former deputy chief administrator.
Additionally, he demanded that the troops stationed at the borders of Twic and Abyei leave government buildings so that employees may return to their jobs serving the public interest.
Ajuong clarified, “We call for the swift establishment of an inquiry committee to look into the events leading up to the shooting of senior government officials so that offenders can face justice.”
It is also challenging to predict when Rumamer County inhabitants would be allowed to return to their former locations because SSPDF forces have taken over private homes, churches, schools, and hospitals. Thus, we implore army commanders to withdraw from these government buildings,” he continued.
Ayuel Kiir, the injured Commissioner of Rumamer County, conversed with Riah Radio from his hospital bed, reporting that his recuperation is going well and that he can’t wait to return to his job.
“I have faith that I will overcome my injuries. The bullet went through my back and struck my chest. This is what transpired: I was waiting for the Abyei Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement Agencies at Agok Airstrip. I saw that every soldier in the SSPDF had their weapons cocked. The captain remained silent when I questioned him three times why their rifles were cocked. I spoke with a colonel about the situation and he came back to me with a report after speaking with the captain. They started shooting at me and my bodyguards all of a sudden,” Kiir recalled.
One male police officer, one female police officer, and a sick person who needed to be transported to Abyei for treatment were all slain in the event. He was tragically killed by a gunshot in the police pickup truck. People dispersed, and cash and other possessions were taken from our cars as well as the minister’s and the administrators’,” he clarified.
Kiir believes that the shooting was carried out by armed Twic County residents. “These attackers are not your typical SSPDF soldiers.” Since the first battalion is my army friend, I welcomed them when they came. As a commissioner, I find it hard to imagine they would shoot at me. He surmised, “These people might be armed members of the Twic County police department dressed in SSPDF uniforms.
Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, the SSPDF spokesman, was not immediately available for comment.
