South Sudanese churches urge civilian protection in Tonj North
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Eye Radio
The South Sudan Council of Churches is urging authorities and communities to protect civilians after intercommunal clashes in Tonj North, Warrap State. The violence reportedly killed 61 people on 27 October; the organisation urged the parties to reject retaliation and favour dialogue, Eye Radio reports.
The South Sudan Council of Churches has called for urgent measures to protect civilians after intercommunal clashes in Tonj North, Warrap State, reportedly killed 61 people on 27 October. The toll was given in a Council statement reported by Eye Radio on Wednesday and has not been independently verified.
The Council called on the parties to show restraint, reject retaliation and settle their differences peacefully. Its secretary-general, Bishop Tut Kony Nyang Kon, said the violence highlighted the need to protect civilians and address the recurring causes of conflict.
The organisation urged the Warrap State government and Tonj North authorities to intervene, and called on political leaders not to exploit the violence for political ends. Religious leaders are working on the ground with the Interfaith Committee to encourage dialogue and reconciliation. The Council also called for those responsible for the violence to be held to account.
The latest outbreak follows two deadly attacks in Tonj North that killed 84 people, according to a toll published on 27 October in an article on the attacks. On 11 October, the government deployed forces to the region to support peace, according to an earlier article on the deployment to Tonj.
