South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Awan Achiek
The Bishop of Tombura-Yambio, Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala has called on President Salva Kiir Mayardit to declare a state of emergency in Tombura County of Western Equatoria State following renewed violence.
“I am asking Mr. President to impose a state of emergency in Tombura, nobody will be carrying guns, only those entitled to it and bring discipline so that peace can prevail,” Eduardo said in a statement on Saturday.
Eduardo urged the government to stop the ongoing killings, burning of houses, and disappearance of people in Tombura County as well as hold those causing violence accountable.
“I am appealing to the President of the Republic of South Sudan, because I cannot believe that in a given country, people can go out and kill each other, burn houses, make others to disappear and cause violence and the whole structure of the government is there free, looking, sitting and watching this,” Eduardo said.
The Bishop said he believes President Salva Kiir Mayardit is the only one who can restore peace and stability in the restive Tombura County.
“The President of the Republic of South Sudan is the one to bring peace in Tombura and nobody else, he has to, because he is the President of the Republic of South Sudan, nobody can do it better than him,” he said.
“He (Kiir) has the power, influence and leadership and we have given him the power to rule the people of South Sudan because he is the leader who has the power to make Tombura peaceful and the rest of South Sudan.”
Eduardo noted that the violence in Tombura County has led to the loss of pride and dignity among it’s inhabitants, adding that the violence has also significantly led to destruction of infrastructure.
“I am sad to say, as many of you have heard that confusion and unrest have begun in Tombura and that has brought back the sad memory of what had happened in 2021 where many lives were lost,” he said.
Eduardo said people are now running up and down in Tombura, adding several people have been displaced amid an atmosphere of fear and anxiety.
The deadly fighting in Tombura County erupted in July 2021, leading to the displacement of nearly 80,000 civilians and the death of about 200 people.
The conflict has been attributed to clashes between the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-In Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) and forces loyal to Gen. James Nando.
It involves local groups aligned with fighters linked to the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and the SPLA-IO.
