The already sour relationship between the central and state governments
in South Sudan’s capital city has reached a new low.
The Central Equatoria state (CES) government has publicly condemned
the South Sudanese army (SPLA), accusing it of “brutality” following clashes between
government soldiers and Mundari tribesmen near Juba, which left at least 8
people dead.
Central Equatoria state, which hosts the seat of President Salva
Kiir’s government, accused the SPLA of “unruly behavior”, linking the army’s
attacks on Mundari civilians as an act of tribalism.
Central Equatoria state government official Ladu Subek said fighting
erupted at Guerkek military base outside Juba when the Mundari youth were
provoked by SPLA soldiers.
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| SPLA Chief of Staff Paul Malong Awan (seen left) with President Salva Kiir (seen right) |
The situation began Friday when SPLA forces stopped a Mundari youth,
tortured and then beat him to death.
Then on Saturday SPLA soldiers killed two more Mundari youths in the
area.
A group of Mundari youths then retaliated by overrunning the SPLA position
and killing 3 soldiers.
The army then responded by shelling the area with heavy artillery from
tanks.
This is the second time the SPLA has been accused of violence against
civilians by government officials.
Last month, senior officials of Western Equatoria state accused the
SPLA of violating human rights in the state and warned the SPLA actions might
increase rebellion in the area.