The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights condemned a reported attack on civilians on Friday, after human rights activists accused armed personnel in Pankor village, Ayod County, Jonglei State of using the promise of food to lure civilians before firing on them.
The statement by the Commission in Banjul, The Gambia accused soldiers of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) of calling for civilians to gather for humanitarian aid on February 21 and opening fire on them, killing an estimated 25 civilians including women and children.
The commissioners called the attack “a serious violation of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights”, saying it “undermines fundamental guarantees to life, dignity and liberty”. They urged that “accountability [be] ensured for perpetrators and concrete steps taken to ensure the protection of civilians throughout conflict-affected areas”.
The alleged attack comes amid fighting across Jonglei state, where ethnically driven violence between government forces and rival armed groups, combined with seasonal flooding and food shortages, has culminated in one of the most acute humanitarian crises globally. Aid organizations estimate that hundreds of thousands of civilians have been displaced in the past few months alone, and human rights workers claim violence against non-combatants is on the rise.
Survivors and witnesses told reporters that armed men broadcast loudspeakers that they would distribute food and then proceeded to fire into the crowd, with some claiming victims had their hands bound. The government has denied details of the incident and disputed victim numbers.
The African Commission specifically blames the state’s failure to protect non-combatants, urged the government to respect their obligations under both international and regional human rights law and suggested that ” reparations be granted to victims’ families and access be secured for humanitarian agencies”.
Diplomatic missions of the European Union and many Western countries have also issued a condemnation, this week, calling for “prompt investigations and clear measures… To ensure the protection of civilians and humanitarian assistance delivery”.
Aid workers state that attacks and interference by armed actors have critically hampered the delivery of food and medical supplies in Jonglei and the surrounding regions and with millions in the grips of food insecurity and lack of access to other services, civilians are left extremely vulnerable.
