By Baraka John
The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) has postponed its planned public naming of individuals accused of fueling violence and undermining peace in Tombura County, Western Equatoria State.
CEPO Executive Director Edmond Yakani announced the decision on Saturday through a voice note shared with King Media, explaining that the move comes as fresh investigations are being carried out into a new wave of violence in the county.
Yakani noted that September 13, 2025, had initially been scheduled as the “D-day” for releasing the names of suspected spoilers of peace. However, he said the latest violent incidents forced the organization to delay the announcement.
“We have decided to postpone the naming because we are investigating the most recent outbreak of violence in Tombura. These events have created fear, destabilized security, and raised serious concerns about violations of international law,” Yakani stated.
He strongly condemned the recent seizure of arms from UN peacekeepers, calling it “a crime of the highest order.” Citing United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) reports confirming such attacks, Yakani warned that CEPO would ensure accountability for those responsible.
He further revealed that CEPO is investigating those behind attacks on UN premises, noting that findings from these inquiries will be added to the list of perpetrators and spoilers of peace.
Yakani also criticized political actors accused of exploiting military strength for personal or political advantage in Tombura. He cautioned against the rise of hate speech, fake news, and disinformation campaigns that target groups such as UN peacekeepers and religious leaders, saying such tactics risk deepening divisions and fueling ethnic conflict.
Despite the postponement, Yakani reaffirmed CEPO’s commitment to justice and peace, assuring that a new date for the release of names will be announced soon. He called on local leaders, state officials, and national politicians to put peace above political interests and reject violence as a tool for power.
The conflict in Tombura, which erupted in June 2021, has been marked by recurring intercommunal clashes and fighting between the SPLA-IO rebel faction and the national army (SSPDF). Rooted in elite political rivalries, the violence has claimed many lives, devastated livelihoods, and displaced nearly 80,000 people at its peak, according to UNMISS reports in 2023.
Although UN peacekeepers remain deployed in the area with a mandate to protect civilians and promote reconciliation, some community members have accused the mission of bias and lacking neutrality.