President William Ruto has directed the shipment of foodstuff and medical supplies to South Sudan as the country continues to fight conflict.
This comes a few days after Kenyans on Twitter reminded the government to set its priorities right by focusing on Kenyans in North Horr that are truly in need. Kenyans trended the hashtag #SaveNorthHorr to call upon Ruto to send and direct foodstuff and humanitarian assiatance to that region in Marsabit Kenya.
President @WilliamsRuto’s statement on the escalation of hostilities in South Sudan: @ForeignOfficeKE @MOH_Kenya @kdfinfo pic.twitter.com/2aAMmi6TnS
— Hussein Mohamed, MBS. (@HusseinMohamedg) December 24, 2022
South Sudan is battling clashes between armed elements, and rival community-based militias.
Through a statement on Saturday, Ruto noted that the increasing insecurity, violence, displacement and unfolding humanitarian crisis are detrimental to the peace and stability of Kenya’s North-Western neighbor and the East Africa region as a whole.
The drought in Northern Kenya is a humanitarian crisis that requires urgent attention. Let's support relief efforts and work towards long-term solutions to mitigate future droughts. #SaveNorthHorr pic.twitter.com/zG1j1TQKmQ
— C H I E F, the️️️️ NuriaStore Bookseller (@bennetowuonda) December 22, 2022
“Women and children bear the greatest brunt of the hostilities in the Upper Nile and Jonglei States and are in desperate need of food, water, shelter and medical supplies,” he said.
“Conscious of the resulting humanitarian situation and in the spirit of good neighbourlines and ethos of this season, I have directed that a shipment of foodstuff and essential medical supplies be immediately airlifted to Upper Nile and Jonglei States,” added Ruto.
Save North Horr
Such a sad state of affairs. This is so heartbreaking to watch as famine continues to hit hard at the people of North Horr.
Something needs to be done immediately.
#SaveNorthHorr pic.twitter.com/O3wt4D9ybj— KANGAROO FALSAFA (@kangaroofalsafa) December 22, 2022
The president said he had talked to his South Sudan counterpart Salva Kiir and implored him to deploy their best efforts to lead the country from the brink and back to a path of durable peace as envisioned in the Revitalized Agreement for the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
“I further urged H.E General Salva Kiir Mayardit to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the affected communities,” said Ruto.
President Ruto further appealed to the international community to intervene in restoring peace in South Sudan.
“As a neighbour and guarantor of the South Sudan peace process, I, on behalf of Kenya, bring these concerning developments to the attention of the wider international community and call for a focus on immediate intervention geared towards de-escalation, peaceful resolution and coexistence among the parties involved,” he said.
According to the United Nations, nearly 200 civilians have died in clashes in South Sudan’s far north over the past four months, while thousands more in Upper Nile state have sought shelter in swamps to escape the bloodshed, amid reports of civilians being raped, kidnapped or murdered.
The violence has displaced over 20,000 people since August, the agency said last week, citing reports of “random shooting of civilians”.
The northern part of Kenya to be precise Precise Marsabit has for so long experienced famine and drought. It's high time all stakeholders come together and get a lasting solution.#SaveNorthHorr
North Horr pic.twitter.com/J4HtzZAnWI
— Miss Val ✨ (@masizaval_) December 22, 2022
Around 3,000 people have fled into neighbouring Sudan, with those left behind seeking refuge in bushes along the banks of the White Nile, the UN refugee agency UNHCR said last week.
President Salva Kiir earlier this month called on all sides to embrace peace. His office said he was “determined to do whatever it takes” to end the violence.
Since achieving independence from Sudan in 2011, the world’s newest nation has lurched from one crisis to another, including a brutal five-year civil war that left nearly 400,000 people dead.
A peace deal was signed in 2018 but sporadic bursts of violence between government and opposition forces continue to occur, while conflict between rival ethnic groups in lawless parts of the country exacts a terrible toll on civilians.
