Gov’t asks Equatoria communities to disown armed groups

[Elisabeth Janaina]

Gov’t asks Equatoria communities to disown armed groups
Ray Okech | October 12, 2016 | 12:58 pm
Michael Makuei Lueth, Minister of Information
Michael Makuei Lueth, Minister of Information

The Minister of Information, Michael Makuei, has appealed to
communities “harboring” armed groups in Equatoria region to disown or
report the attackers to the government.

Makuei was responding to reports of deadly attack on civilians along
Juba-Yei and Juba-Nimule roads.

However, it’s unclear whether communities living along the highways
are hosting those who attack travelers.

He says the government may not distinguish between the militants and
non-combatant if the army pursues the attackers within their area of
operation.

“If we sent an army today to go and search for these people, some
people may fall victims of that situation,” the minister told the
media in Juba on Wednesday.

“This is why the community is being advised to act accordingly;
otherwise, it means you are a criminal, or terrorist.”

Representatives of the communities in the mentioned areas are yet to
comment on the matter.

On Monday, a fact-finding team led by Senior Presidential Advisors
held a rally in Yei town where they called for confidence-building
between the army and the civil population.

Daniel Awet Akot said various agencies of the government should
enhance peace, reconciliation, and healing in the areas with tensions.