NAS warns of forced mass civilian displacement as SSPDF sets to clear villages for illegal mining
Several mineral-rich areas in Morobo County, Central Equatoria State (CES), are set to be forcefully depopulated in an imminent SSPDF-led scorch-earth offensive aimed at securing the locations for illegal mining – NAS spokesman has warned.
In a press release dated December 8 by NAS Spokesman Mr Suba Samuel said that the “SSPDF and remnants of the Mathiang Anyoor militia around Morobo and Yei” have been given the green light and instructions to “force civilians who are residing in the villages and bushes” out of locations already sold off to private mining companies owned by the ruling elite.
While urging international human rights groups to closely monitor the situation that amounts to crimes against humanity, NAS has also condemned the “deliberate plan to target and cause mass forced displacement of civilians from their villages to clear their lands for illegal mining”.
To oversee this malicious plan and mobilise the troops, the governor of CES Emmanuel Adil on December 4, 2021, travelled under the cover of darkness to Morobo County where he relayed the strict orders exactly as they were given to him by his masters in Juba, and deployed two battalions for the operation.
NAS leadership warns that any attack on its bases and on its innocent civilians behind NAS lines of defense will not be tolerated
However, NAS has warned that any aggression against its forces or civilians will be met with the same force and vigour that defeated several waves of similar offensives over the past 3 years.
“NAS leadership warns that any attack on its bases and on its innocent civilians behind NAS lines of defense will not be tolerated.”
