A/HRC/45/CRP.3 55. The cumulative effect of these brutal policies and attacks resulted in the deliberate displacement of thousands of civilians and was the primary cause of their acute food insecurity. At the time of writing (August 2020), the security situation and levels of hunger and malnutrition in Western Bahr el Ghazal State remain precarious, with tensions among ethnic groups, particularly between the Fertit and Dinka, continuing to remain high. 2. Wadhalelo payam, Jur County (January to June 2017, and June 2018) “I do not intend to return to Wadhalelo because it is not safe and there is nothing left there for me or my family. No house, no possessions, no food. Also, the SPLA soldiers are still in the town harassing any civilians who return. Here in Wau, things are also very difficult. We do not receive any assistance from the NGOs, but at least we have been able to plant a few crops which we harvest for food.” –Luo woman, aged 20, from Wadhalelo (October 2018).62 a. January to June 2017 56. Wadhalelo payam is situated 38 kilometres southeast of Wau, to the east of the Busseri River and the west of the Jur River.63 The payam comprises four bomas, namely Akana, Alweno, Aturo, and Wadhalelo.64 During the conflict in Western Bahr el Ghazal State, Wadhalelo served as the first opposition base in greater Baggari and, consequently, the first major locale to have been attacked by Government forces. Prior to the outbreak of conflict in Wadhalelo in January 2017, the payam was home to some 6,500 civilians, the majority of whom were ethnic Luo.65 57. Tensions in Waldhalelo preceded the current conflict, when Dinka cattle keepers from Tonj (Warrap State)66 allowed their livestock to graze on the unharvested crops of the native Luo community.67 As friction between the two communities escalated, a Dinka cattle keeper shot and killed a 17-year-old Luo boy.68 Though the reason for his murder is unknown, the incident led to Luo community members complaining to the SPLA-IO (RM) leadership that they no longer felt safe in Waldhalelo.69 In January 2015, SPLA-IO (RM) forces responded by setting up a base just outside of the payam.70 58. For two years, between January 2015 and January 2017, civilians in Waldhalelo recalled benefitting from SPLA-IO (RM) presence and protection,71 and described being able to freely cultivate their land without the interference of Dinka cattle keepers. During that time, local children were also enrolled in school.72 59. Safety and food security in Wadhalelo quickly deteriorated beginning late January/February 2017 with then-SPLA soldiers deployed to oust the opposition forces.73 The arrival of the SPLA was characterised by brutal violent attacks in which they targeted civilians, including through the pillage of their food and livestock, the destruction of property, rape and gang-rape of girls as young as 12 years old, and the deliberate displacement of thousands of civilians who fled to the bush. ERN 101836 – 101841, para. 13. Confidential document, ERN D113942 – D113947. 64 ERN 101577 – 101581, para. 4. 65 Confidential document, ERN D113942 – D113947. 66 ERN 101828 – 101835, para. 5. 67 ERN 101828 – 101835, para. 6. 68 ERN 101828 – 101835, para. 6. 69 ERN 101828 – 101835, paras. 5-6; ERN 101577 – 101581, para. 6. 70 ERN 101828 – 101835, paras. 5-6; ERN 101577 – 101581, para. 6. 71 ERN 101836 – 101841, para. 6. 72 ERN 101577 – 101581, para. 5. 73 ERN 101836 – 101841, para. 7. 62 63 16