South Sudan students warn of impending genocide

The South Sudan embassy and the South Sudan Students Union in Uganda (SSSUU), has decried the current conflict in the country, warning that it could descend into a full blown genocide. 

The remarks were made on Thursday at a press conference conducted at Kampala International University main campus in the city suburb of Kansanga. 

The spokesperson of the embassy in Uganda, David Amuor Majur, said the current conflict is undermining the gains of independence. 

"Why should we fight? We were not created for South Sudan.It was South Sudan that was created for us. If we continue in this bad state, the genocidal curse will follow us," Majur said. 

"We need to fix it, not to mourn and regret for life. We have to leave this killing. The earlier, the better. Even the Bible mentions us, the children of Kush" he added.

Majur reiterated the commitment of the Government of South Sudan (GOSS) to implement the peace agreement. 

He rapped the unscrupulous people, who on Wednesday, peddled claims on social media, that President Salva Kiir had died. 

However, later in the day, aboard an open roof Toyota Land Cruiser, Kiir toured the markets and suburbs in Juba, to dispel the rumours. 

SSSUU vice president David Ayuel, condemned the attacks and killing of civilians along the highways.

He said it is believed the renegade Sudan People's Liberation Army in opposition (SPLM-IO), is behind the attacks. Dr Riek Machar, currently receiving medical treatment in South Africa, heads this team. 

Ayuel encourage the International Criminal Court to take interest and institute prosecution proceedings against the culprits. 

He applauded Uganda's hospitality, saying the country has become the second home of South Sudanese. 

In attendance were members of SSSUU from universities across the country, KIU Guild President Vanessa Ndagire, university Justice Minister Vivian Masozera, and president Kenya Students Union in Uganda Onesmus Karanja. 

SSSUU is an umbrella non-profit making students organisation, devoid of tribe, religious or political affiliation. 

Recent spate of attacks

On October 8 in Luodo village, 10 people were killed South West of Torit by unknown gunmen. Also several were killed in Keji Kejo by unknown gunmen. 

Another attack left 12 people dead at Lafone, Eastern Equatoria, as they were travelling with the Commissioner, who narrowly escaped. 

Also on October 8, four lorries carrying passengers from Yei, were attacked along Yei- Juba road, resulting in a death toll of 129 civilians, with 20 injured. 

The most recent was the attack on the Eco, Friendship and Gateway buses that were ambushed 50 kilometres from Juba, near Jebellein. The Eco bus was set ablaze and burnt beyond recognition. The driver and a passenger were confirmed dead. 

South Sudan Factfile 

Africa's newest nation, with a population of 11.3 million people, gained independence in 2011, with Juba as its capital, it was curved out of the Republic of Sudan 

However, in 2013, the country slipped into civil war, when Kiir accused Machar of scheming to topple him. In August last year in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, a United Nations-backed truce was later reached, and Machar returned to Juba but the tension lingered. 

In July this year, Kiir replaced Machar with Gen. Taban Deng Gai, as First Vice president. 

It is estimated that the conflict has displaced over one million people inside South Sudan, while more than 400,000 people are currently living in refugee camps in Sudan, Uganda, and Kenya.