South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Simon Deng
The Commissioner of Tambura County, Matthew Mabenge, has expressed concerns about the deteriorating conditions faced by approximately 26,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the area.
He highlighted that the rainy season has severely impacted their shelters, which are now old and leaking. As health challenges increase and farming becomes impossible, many are struggling to survive.
“There are about 26,000 IDPs now, but their situation is worsening in terms of health. This rainy season is affecting them; their shelters are becoming old and leaking, and there is no way to cultivate. They are surviving with great difficulty,” Mabenge said in an interview with the Dawn.
He called for dialogue to alleviate the suffering of the displaced population who have been uprooted from their homes due to sporadic clashes.
“Unless we engage in dialogue or speak to the former governor of Western Equatoria state, Alfred Futuho, who is currently between Nagero and Tambura mobilising youth and sending forces to attack, we need serious engagement with him,” he stated.
Mabenge revealed that he has consulted with church leaders and elders from both the Zande and Balanda communities to seek a peaceful and lasting resolution to the ongoing conflict in Tambura County.
“We must join forces with the government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) groups to sit down and find an amicable solution that will at least allow our people in the state to participate in peace,” Mabenge emphasised during the interview.
“I urge and advise the SPLM-IO politicians to remain calm and refrain from killing innocent people unnecessarily. Document your grievances and approach the national government to address them, rather than resorting to violence against innocent individuals,” he added.
Mabenge reported that late last week, forces from the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition clashed with a breakaway group, resulting in four fatalities and others suffering critical gunshot wounds.
“Two days ago, there was a conflict among SPLA-IO forces, with those wishing to surrender clashing with those refusing to do so. This confrontation led to four deaths and one injury, who is now in the hospital,” he explained.
Mabenge clarified that the ongoing conflict in Tambura County is not merely a matter of communal violence, but rather an armed opposition against the government, which has displaced thousands of people as a result of the turmoil in the region.
