South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Awan Achiek
A South Sudanese activist on Friday accused certain politicians of exacerbating communal violence in Western Equatoria State.
Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organisation (CEPO), claimed that some politicians are promoting ethnic violence for their own benefit.
“Since 2013, a new class of politicians has emerged in Western Equatoria State, who fuel violence within our communities for personal gain,” Yakani stated in a media release on Friday.
He emphasised that the average citizen of Western Equatoria values peace and prefers to coexist harmoniously with others.
“I refer to these individuals as the spoilers of peace or profiteers of violence. Your Excellency, Governor James Al-Taib, it is crucial that you take a firmer stance against these individuals.”
Yakani explained that these politicians spread fake news and misinformation to mislead communities for their own political interests and to incite violence.
“Those individuals are attempting to alter history for their personal gain or political interests,” he said.
The human rights defender vowed to expose the politicians responsible for creating divisions and inciting violence within the community.
“There is no need to keep them in silence. It is time they are named and shamed in the public eye. Their detrimental actions should be made known to every citizen in South Sudan and in Western Equatoria State.”
Western Equatoria has witnessed significant violence, including killings and property destruction in various areas.
State officials have attributed much of the unrest to the rebellion led by former governor Futuyo, who is believed to be in hiding and has rallied armed opposition against the government.
The state is currently facing intercommunal violence between the Balanda and Azande communities in Tambura County.
This conflict has resulted in numerous civilian casualties and has primarily displaced women and children.
The situation is marked by killings, kidnappings, disappearances, and property destruction.
Some local leaders have claimed that the conflicting communities receive support from both the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the armed opposition group, the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO).
