The public is being cautioned against using social media to incite violence and hatred.

The Chairperson of the South Sudan Civil Society Alliance (SSCA), Akuoch Ajang says social media sites including Facebook and other online platforms are being used to circulate provocative messages of an ethnic dimension. 

“What are we going to earn if we fight ourselves; if we kill ourselves?” Ajang pleaded. “For those who are using social media, please be positive,” he beseeched, further advising the public to use social media to promote peace.  

The SSCA chairperson made the comments at a briefing called to condemn the recent spate of attacks on passenger buses along major highways in and out of Juba. 

“This is unacceptable,” he told journalists, adding “the people of South Sudan are peace loving citizens and every South Sudanese should maintain love, peace and unity.”

Scores of people were killed when three passenger busses were ambushes along the Juba-Nimule and Juba-Yei roads in recent days. 

The SSCA also asked the government to come up with a clear security strategy to guide government readiness and response to security incidents, emphasizing that “the top priority of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict is to maintain the security of the country, to allow peace to prevail.”

The alliance also demanded the perpetrators of the attacks be brought to justice and also made an impassioned appeal to civilians to remain united.