By Baraka John
Thousands of citizens in the counties of Yambio, Tombura, and Ezo poured into the streets on Tuesday morning to celebrate the removal of Governor Alfred Futuyo Karaba after nearly five years of leadership. The jubilant crowds expressed their excitement following a decree issued by President Salva Kiir Mayardit late Monday night, which announced a major reshuffling of government officials, including the dismissal of Governor Futuyo.
In a series of presidential decrees, President Kiir removed Futuyo from office without naming a successor. The news quickly spread, and within hours, citizens from across the three counties gathered to demonstrate their support for the decision, waving leaves, singing in their local dialects, and celebrating the end of an era that many viewed as one marked by violence, division, and poor governance.
David Wandu, a native of Yambio, shared his excitement for the governors removal and urged for peace and unity among the diverse communities of Western Equatoria.
My message is let people unite and live in the culture of Western Equatoria, not in the culture of war and insecurity. We need to live in peace and want our president to also support whoever will come to rule this state to live in peace. Thank you.
Josephine Undo, a women’s leader from Hai Kokora in Yambio, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the suffering that women had endured under Governor Futuyos leadership. She spoke of the many lives lost and families destroyed, lamenting the lack of attention to security.
We have suffered, our blood flooded like water, we lost our people and the governor did not talk about, we are excited for his removal and thank you so much.
Honorable Anikumbo Mathew Eme, a member of the Employee Justice Commission in Western Equatoria State and a resident of Tombura County, also joined the celebrations. Eme called Futuyo’s tenure “anti-peace” and expressed his belief that his removal would bring stability to the region.
“I have joined the rest to jubilate in support of the republic decree relieving the most illiterate governor of South Sudan, who has actually excised his level of illiteracy to ensure that there is no peace prevalence in Western Equatoria state. I am particularly from Tombura County where he has ensured there is no peace until his end of his regime, I am celebrating because with effect from today this morning our people in Tombura are already at peace and peace will prevail forever. Mathew stated
Deputy Governor of Western Equatoria, who also serves as the acting governor, addressed the crowds shortly after arriving from Juba. He called for unity and dialogue among the communities, emphasizing that the removal of Governor Futuyo was simply part of a routine government process.
I call upon every one of the state, especially our brothers the one we signed peace with them, the SPLA-IO wherever they shouldn’t in any form panic, they shouldn’t rash for war, I have come to make sure the state become calm, the state must be peaceful and I have come to do dialogue with them according to the way we signed peace with them.
Reports of gunshots were heard in Yambio and its outskirts shortly after the announcement, though the exact reason for the gunfire remains unclear. Authorities have yet to provide information about the cause of these incidents, and there is no indication of widespread unrest.