Activist Reaches Out to Spiritual Leader to Help Curb Violence

By Awan Achiek

A prominent South Sudanese human rights activist said on Thursday that they are in discussions with the controversial spiritual leader Makuach Tut to de-escalate violence.

Over the weekend, Makuach, a prominent Nuer spiritual figure and commander of the White Army militias in Ayod County, reported that he has begun advancing towards Pigi County in Jonglei State.

Local authorities and residents believe he intends to launch an offensive and, if possible, cross the Nile River to attack Malakal.

Edmund Yakani, executive director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organisation (CEPO), stated that they have reached out to close allies of spiritual leader Makuach to engage him in stopping the violence.

“We have attempted to reach out to close allies of our spiritual leader, Makuach Tut, to discuss the escalation of the growing tension in Upper Nile State,” Yakani said.

He noted that reports of the impending attack have caused fear and panic among residents of Pigi County in Jonglei State.

“We citizens are in panic, and some have had to flee. Based on our conversations with close allies, we received a promise that the situation will be de-escalated.”

He called on Makuach, commander of the White Army militias in Ayod County, to embrace peace.

“We urge our spiritual leader, Makuach Tut, to listen to our voices because people are living in panic, and they believe their safety and security are at risk,” he said.

He stressed the need to use non-violence and dialogue to resolve political differences.

“I would like to appeal to every political leader in every capacity to use dialogue to approach or resolve political differences, rather than resorting to violence, which is harmful and destructive to our population,” he said.

“We have learned from our history that through dialogue and conversation, we were able to reach the CPA, which resulted in us gaining our political rights from the rest of Sudan.”