As the news hit the media about atrocities in Sudan, EN received a report on December 20 from a Christian living in Sudan.
‘We have experienced heavy fighting between soldiers loyal to President Salva Kiir or to his former vice president, Riak Machar, on December 15. The government called it an attempted coup but it was actually a political difference that arose over party meetings and the president’s dictatorial tendency that sparked the fight. The president wants to eliminate all his political critics in hope of becoming a full dictator. Unfortunately, the fight turned quickly into tribal conflict targeting people that come from Nuer tribe in Juba.
5000 killed
‘Since December 15 it is estimated that about 5,000 innocent South Sudanese citizens, mainly from Nuer tribe from which Riak Machar comes, have being killed. This is being done under the command of the president of the nation who comes from Dinka. His private army, which comes from his home area Warrap, carried out the mission of killing Nuer in Juba. Nuer are being killed in the streets or hunted down in houses and killed. They are being killed systematically and even two Presbyterian pastors were brought out from their residences and killed on a nearby street.
‘About 20,000 Nuer have fled for safety to two UN (United Nations Mission in South Sudan) compounds in Juba, or to churches, or left Juba altogether. We are also hearing information that Nuer are organising themselves to attack Dinka villages. This situation, if not controlled. may turn out to be another Rwanda in Africa. Current tension may engulf the whole country in civil war if not settled very soon.
‘Therefore, first, we would like to appeal for prayers for South Sudan to avoid further escalation in the situation. Secondly, we appeal to advocacy and human rights groups to urge their governments to dispatch envoys to Juba, South Sudan to seek quick settlement of the crisis.’
