It is time to recognize South Sudan as a failed state and to take all possible steps to de-militarize and to rebuild that nation.

We write to you urgently as friends and family members of the Moru people of Buadji in Western Equatoria state.  On September 18, this village was looted and burned to the ground by RSS government soldiers under the command of President Salva Kiir.  We have little news of this atrocity because the army disabled the local cell tower, and residents now hiding in the mountains have no other means to communicate with us. The fact that it DID happen has been corroborated to us by Moru members of the RSS legislature.     

Such illegal government attacks on civilians have been happening in northern South Sudan for 33 months but in that region there are armed rebel troops in opposition.  In contrast, Western Equatoria is a very peaceful, self-sufficient, self-governed, food secure area that has had no reason or interest to involve itself in this civil war until now.  An invasion by armed Dinka cattle raiders was followed by the government soldiers’ wanton destruction even though no rebel army is in the area.  Our cousins, including small children and a 90-year-old uncle, are now suffering hunger hiding in the mountains; probably over 1000 people from several villages.

RSS President Salva Kiir has refused to attend the meeting at the U.N. in NYC on September 29.  Either he is ashamed of the horrific actions of his army, or he has completely lost control of them and fears a coup if he leaves Juba. Army soldiers have not been paid for a long time, and no doubt they are also hungry and taking matters into their own hands.

Many believe that according to RSS original constitution, President Kiir is now ruling illegally.  It is time for the world to put an end to the bloodshed of this young, but resource-filled, nation: to remove the President from power and to de-militarize the army and to give them real work to do, like feeding the nation.

At the meeting on September 29, 2015, at the United Nations we beg you to take actions to end the ineffective government of Salva Kiir and his runaway army. With the help of the Organization of African States, install an interim government until new elections can be held.