SPLA-IO Accused of Detaining Civilian Boats, Demanding $4,000 Along Sobat River ‎

Image
‎ Boat ferrying civilians  Nasir, Upper Nile State  ‎Authorities in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, have accused forces loyal to the Sudan People’s Liberation Army In Opposition (SPLA-IO) of detaining civilian riverboats and demanding ransom-like payments of up to $4,000 from traders and passengers along the Sobat River. ‎ ‎According to Nasir County Commissioner James Gatwech Joak, several boats traveling from Matar in Nasir County to Malakal were intercepted by SPLA-IO soldiers in Yakuach, an area in Nyirol County, Jonglei State. ‎ ‎“Our traders paid local taxes to SPLA-IO in Mandeng before setting off. But on reaching Yakuach, they were detained again and told to pay an additional four thousand U.S. dollars,” Commissioner Gatwech said. ‎ ‎He explained that the detained boat operators and traders were reportedly held for four days while armed men demanded more payments.  ‎ Some of the passengers were women, children, and patients traveling for medical treatment in Malaka...

Pope Francis Assured The IDPs Not To Lose Hope

 



Top Trending News:


The IDPs from across the nation has been assured by the Pope not to lose hope and they should look at the brighter future. 

After interacting with the Internally Displaced Persons from across the country and lost hope in life, the Pope assured them not to give up. 

The Archbishop of Canterbury was also present during the interaction between the IDPs and Pope Francis. 

The Moderator of General Assembly Of The Church Of Scotland Dr. Ian Greenfield was also present and he opened the session with a word of prayers, then the UN Humanitarian Coordinator also gave his account of the situation on the ground. 

UN Humanitarian Coordinator Sara. Beyeslow Nyanti said that: “Humanitarian context in South Sudan is worrying. For over a decade, the South Sudanese people have experienced conflict, social and political instability, climate shocks, violence, displacement, food insecurity, lack of education opportunities, and lack of access to healthcare.”-Nyanti said. 

Tesitmonies From The IDPs

The elderly IDPs entrusted non-other than two minors to give their version of their suffering through the period of the civil war. 

One of the Minor entrusted to speak said that, he is worries about the future and asked for prayers for long lasting peace to reign in the country. 

The other speaker was a girl from Juba PoCs and she narrated the people's ordeal at the camp and was optimistic of a brighter future. 

Do Not Lose Hope: Pope Francis said 

The pope responded by asking the Internally Displaced Persons not to lose hope and said they are always in his mind and thoughts. 

“Dear brothers and sisters, thank you for your prayers, your testimonies and your singing,” Pope said. 

He further said that: “I have been thinking about you for a long time with a growing desire to have this meeting, to see you face to face, shake your hand and embrace to embrace.”

He further appealed to the government: “That is why I want to renew my forceful and heartfelt apple to end all conflict and resume the peace process in a serious way.”

“So, violence can end, and people can return to leaving with dignity. Only with peace stability and justice can there be development and social reintegration. There is no room for further delay.”

While speaking to the IDP boy who spoke first he said that: “There is a need for all children to have the opportunity to go to school and have a field to play football.”

“There is a need for you to grow in an open society for different groups to mingle and to form a single person and face the challenge of integration even to speak the language of others, not just of your tribe.”

“Brother and sisters, once more I look at you, I see your eyes weary, but bright.”

“Don’t lose hope. I see you mouth which have not lost the strength to pray and sing. I see you with empty hands but hearts full of faith. You bear the burden of the painful past, yet you never stopped dreaming of a better future.”-Pope Francis concluded. 


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

SPLA-IO Accused of Detaining Civilian Boats, Demanding $4,000 Along Sobat River ‎

Governor Rabi Mujung Dismisses Juba City Mayor, Appoints New Leadership Team ‎

SSPDF Airstrikes Hit SPLA-IO Positions in Jur River County (WBGS)