National Assembly To Investigate Komiru Tragedy The South Sudan National Assembly, (SSNA) last Monday formed an ad hoc committee to investigate the violence that took place in Komiru residential area in Juba last week leaving 10 people dead.14 March 2012 Women groups take to the streets in Juba over senseless killings in Komiru [File photo]By Waakhe Simon Wudu JUBA, 14th March 2012 [Gurtong]
The committee is composed of 13 members appointed according to the ten States and based on political parties after a resolution passed by the August House. It was set to investigate a number of issues on the tragedy. The MPs resolved that, the committee’s mandate is to find out what steps have the Executive both in the National and the Central Equatoria State (CES) Governments taken against the criminals that shot and killed innocent civilians. After a motion suggested by the Government Chief Whip Atem Garang, parliament resolved that; The Committee should investigate security organs over misuse of power in tackling cases in Juba. The August House accused security forces in many occasions to have used excess force in handling matters and halted progressive plans in the Capital Juba. Parliament has also resolved the suspension of demolition of Komiru residential area until further investigations on land cases in the area is done. They accused the law enforcement agencies over reluctance in passing verdict on land issues prompting injustices as land grabbers are not brought to book. The committee should also question authorities over the presence of illegal firearms in Juba that led to insecurity at night. Parliament has given the Committee two weeks to deliver a report on the matter. These resolutions came after a report presented by the CES Deputy Governor, Manasseh Lomole Waya to the August House on the Komiru tragedy that occurred last week and led to the death of ten people mainly women and children. After the presentation, parliamentarians spent 7 hours of heated debate over the Komiru incident before a motion seconded later on was proposed by the government Chief Whip Hon. Atem Garang. Some MPs pointed hands at bad governance that led to the incident and warned that, it is a symptom of terror-persistent insecurity unless actions are taken. “What has happened in Komiru…is a pointer to worst happenings. What happened is a portrayal of the lack of respect of rule of law. Unless we respect the rule of law we will never address these issues,” Hon. Alfred Lado Gore, the Minister of Environment said. The Deputy CES Governor Mr. Lomole called on parliament to exert pressure on the executive in order to deliver. He added that the law enforcement institutions have failed to prosecute criminals who are supposed to be brought to book. “We have recorded cases of criminals who got released. I think this is what this House should stop,” Lomole said. The debate also divided MPs as the motion took a new twist where ethnic language was used prompting the House Speaker, James Wani Igga to warn MPs to desist from using their mother tongues in debating issues of national interest. Komiru Tragedy According to the report presented by the CES Deputy Governor to parliament, on 4th March 2012 youths of Komiru Boma clashed with people who were working on a fence belonging to Mr. Dak Gawar. One of the workers identified as Legge Laku was attacked with an arrow on his thigh sparking tensions in the residential area. The report indicated that Gawar and his brothers later on at 10:00 am to 12:00noon went on rampage in Komiru village by shooting aimlessly. The shooting continued till 5th of March 2012 and led to the killing of 7 people mainly women and children with at least six others wounded. Some wounded victims later on passed away in the hospital after admission. The tragedy came after the CES Demolition Committee announced to demolish Komiru residential area on 6th March, 2012. Komiru Residential Area Komiru Boma located at least 5 kilometres from Juba Town to the West belongs to the Northern Bari Payam, Juba. The area was surveyed by Hamid Hamdun the former Deputy Governor and Minister of Infrastructure of CES then Bahr el Jebel State. The area was returned to the Community in 2009 after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). In 2008, illegal occupants occupied the land prompting the natives to meet the CES Governor so as to have their land returned to them promptly. However, the owners didn’t develop the land. Other neighbouring residents in Nyaing and Bari Communities started having disputes over land distribution among them. Land grabbers then took advantage of the community misunderstandings and occupied the land at Komiru. Posted in: Home -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "South Sudan Info - The Kob" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/SouthSudanKob?hl=en.
