Urgent Release statement by Collo Community Council

Collo Community Council learnt, with dismay and deep sadness, about the cowardly attack by Kiir’s forces on Collo villages of Makal Shilluk (Mujo) and Adhokongo. Both villages, which are so many kilometers away from Malakal town, lie on the west bank of the White Nile River. The unprovoked attacks, which were carried out simultaneously this morning (24/12/2015), resulted in many civilian casualties, the exact number is difficult to make at this stage.

The whole world may be surprised and shocked that the attacks come at the time Juba is receiving the advance team of SPLM IO and hence giving a false impression that the government of Salva Kiir means peace. The people of South Sudan and the international community should know that this is a mockery and deceit. Salva Kiir and his ruling clique do not want peace. The following provide evidence. Two days ago Gen Bakosuro, former governor of Western Equatoria State, was arrested in Juba. Over the same period Vice President , Mr. Wani Igga, was on the SSTV saying clearly that there were elements in his government that are opposed to the peace process. These criminal attacks on Collo villages come as further proof of the government negative attitude towards peace.

In their usual tactics the government will spread lies that they were attacked first. That will not count to anything because the question will be ‘what were they doing in Makal Shilluk and Adhokong several kilomentres from Malakal on the west bank?’

Collo Community Council in Khartoum condemns in the strongest terms the attack on civilians at the time the government in Juba is pretending to be implementing the peace agreement. We are a civilian group working for the right of Collo people to their ancestral land that has been grabbed by Salva Kiir and given to his tribesmen - Padang. We therefore, denounce war and strongly condemn acts of atrocities such as these directed at armless civilians.

We also urge the IGAD peace mediators and peace implementation monitors to condemn this barbaric act and make the government forces return to Malakal as soon as possible. We further call on the international community to make the government of Kiir stop double dealing in the peace process. That notorious group in Juba needs a strong action to make them seriously commit to peace. Unless the government of Juba becomes serious, the current peace process is in danger of collapsing sooner or later.

Another clear indication which explained that Juba is not for implementation of peace is announcement of appointees Governors for 28 created states on SSTV this evening. Despite the fact that there was case in the court against the Establishment Order of 28 states and also there were negative reactions from different communities. The Juba Government had shown it strong muscle to impose war on people of South Sudan and on the international community that assisted the South

Sudan to come into being.

Long Live the great Collo People

Long Live the right of Collo people to their ancestral land

Signed by

Collo Community Council in Khartoum

24 December 2015