EQUATORIAN SOUTH SUDANESE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION-USA

ESSCA PO BOX 973347 YPSILANTI, MI 48197

FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE

December 20, 2013 CONTACT: Benjamin Okuka

E-MAIL: ben_okuka@yahoo.com PHONE: 315-333-0885

 

ESSCA STATEMENT ON ONGOING CRISES IN JUBA

YPSILANTI, MI December 20, 2013 -- ESSCA like most South Sudanese around the world has been

trying to determine an accurate account of what transpired on December 15, 2013 to trigger the

current crisis unfolding in South Sudan. While we don’t have the definitive account of events, we

know that there was an altercation and split in the Sudan People Liberation Army’s Tiger

Battalion that led to fighting in the Army Command Center and the Bilpam Army barracks in

Juba.

Following the events over the last five days, it is clear now that this unfortunate event has

triggered a rift within the Sudan People Liberation Movement and Army (SPLM/A) along ethnic

lines and has pitted President Salva Kirr against former Vice President Riek Machar. By Tuesday

December 17, 2013, the violence had spread across Juba where the State House and Presidential

compound came under heavy fire. President Kirr has accused Riek Machar of launching a coup

triggering the fight and in response the Presidential Guards have attacked and destroyed the

home of Riek Machar and arrested several opposition members. Riek Machar however has

denied any involvement in any coup attempt in an interview with Sudan Tribune on December

18, 2013.

It’s been difficult to ascertain the death toll but credible news organizations such as the BBC and

Sudan Tribune have reported that over 500 people have been killed. ESSCA however in talking to

people on the ground and witnesses in Juba estimate that the death toll may exceed a

thousand. Several people have reported that there were many bodies on the streets of Juba.

South Sudanese who have just emerged from decades of civil war are terrified and fleeing their

homes and taking refuge at the UN compounds. Daily life has come to a standstill with people

hiding in their homes and/or seeking refuge. Foreigners are trying to leave the country. Several

convoys have been spotted heading to Uganda on the Juba-Nimule road and hundreds of people

are waiting for flights out of Juba.

EQUATORIAN SOUTH SUDANESE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION-USA

ESSCA PO BOX 973347 YPSILANTI, MI 48197

The devastating impact of this crisis on the government, society, economy and future of South

Sudan at large cannot be underestimated. This is likely the most damaging setback South Sudan

has suffered since the signing of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the end of the

civil war. South Sudanese endured decades of civil war to attain democracy, independence, and

freedom from the oppressive regimes of the Sudan. It is therefore terrifying and alarming to think

that the SPLM/A which ushered South Sudan into independence now is splintering, and in the

process could potentially drag the country back into an unwarranted civil war.

ESSCA calls on the government and political leaders to ensure the safety and security of civilians

and to seek non-violent options to resolve political differences. We commend the President for

expressing his willingness to have a dialogue with former Vice President Riek Machar. This

conflict is out of step with the aspirations of the South Sudanese people and goes against the

primary tents of the struggle for independence.

We also appeal to friends of South Sudan, the United Nations, the United States and the

international community to impress upon the government of South Sudan to bring the situation

under control and to provide medical and humanities assistance to the affected population. The

international community has heavily invested time, resources, and political capital in South

Sudan. Thus it would be unfortunate to see decades of progress ruined by this unjustified conflict.

Finally we urge the citizens of South Sudan not to remain spectators and victims of the ongoing

conflict. Rather we urge all South Sudanese, religious leaders, and civil service organizations to

peacefully demand for the cessation of violence and appeal for political dialogue and national

reconciliation. South Sudanese cannot stand by and let their country descend into chaos and

return to civil war. We must speak up through rallies, peaceful demonstrations, and community-

led efforts that promote non-violent approach for resolving conflicts, and peaceful coexistence in

line with South Sudanese aspirations for a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous South Sudan.

## ## ##