By Baraka John
Acting Governor Daniel Badagbu of Western Equatoria State convened an emergency meeting with political party leaders on Thursday to address growing tensions following the removal of Governor Alfred Futuyo earlier that week.
The meeting aimed to find solutions to escalating violence, including targeted attacks and civilian looting, and involved representatives from several political parties, all signatories to the 2018 revitalized peace agreement. These included the ruling SPLM, SPLM-In-Opposition (SPLM-IO), South Sudan National Movement for Change (SSNMC), Former Detainers (FDs), National Agenda, Other Political Parties (OPP), and the Interfaith Council.
The discussions focused on critical issues such as discouraging ethnic hate speech, addressing civilian looting, and resolving ongoing clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and SPLA-IO forces in Rii-Rangu.
Acting Governor Badagbu stressed that the removal of Governor Futuyo should be viewed as non-tribal and emphasized the need for peace and unity, assuring that the government would ensure the protection of civilians and all political party members.
“We have discussed several things, among which the protection of both the civilians in Yambio and also de-escalating the situation and de-militarizing the town. We also stand with the solidarity with SPLM-IO after the relieve of the governor some of them are feeling unsafe, but I have called them to assured them that there is protection for all political parties and to assure them that all the government machineries and apparatus will be operational and we have to work together and build social cohesion among us as political parties”. Badagbu asserted
Mary John Osman, the secretary for SPLM-IO in Western Equatoria, raised concerns about the safety of SPLM-IO members, particularly after their party’s flag was taken down following Futuyo’s removal. She also reported that several party members were fearful of threats from government forces. In response, Badagbu assured that the flag would be reinstated, and the government would provide security for all political party members.
“When they decreed him out, actually this is a change, we were waiting for the person who will replace him, which is not yet. But the thing which was alarming when the decree was out on Monday, on Tuesday someone went and cut off our flag, and today we have discussed that the flag will be raised up, they did not decree out the IO but they decreed the leader from the government and he is still our chairperson”.
The South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA), represented by Chairperson Hyman Ezaya Paul, also expressed support for the meeting and stressed the importance of protecting civilians amidst the current insecurity. SSOA pledged cooperation with the state government to ensure peace and stability.
“We come together to cooperate with the governor to ensure security in the state continues to prevail, thanks to the protection of the public and the security is good as the civilians live their normal lives, this is because of the effort of the organized force”.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to hold monthly gatherings of political party leaders to address ongoing concerns and promote governance cooperation in the state.