Commissioner’s Direct Appeal to Fighters
Speaking at the close of a two-day consultation in Mundri, Commissioner Zelipha Justin Dawa urged armed youth to quit the bush and ‘share a message of peace’ with relatives in Western Equatoria State (The Dawn).
Dawa reminded them that South Sudan ‘belongs to all of us’ and insisted their return would accelerate local rebuilding efforts and restore confidence among villages recently scarred by sporadic clashes.
Governor’s Security Commitments
Governor James Al Taib Berapai echoed the appeal, pledging to exercise his constitutional powers to guarantee security and promote social harmony across Western Equatoria’s counties.
‘We have agreed to work hand in hand to bring peace to our people,’ he said, adding that the state leadership would brief national authorities on the emerging consensus.
Roots of the Unrest
Western Equatoria has endured cycles of violence, with killings and arson reported in remote villages over recent months, dampening trade and forcing families to flee farms they depend on.
Officials attribute much of the turmoil to forces loyal to former governor Futuyo, who reportedly remains in hiding after calling for armed opposition to the state administration.
Community Hopes and Next Steps
Religious leaders and civil society actors have welcomed the dialogue, stressing that disarmament must be paired with job creation and trauma counselling to cement community trust.
For many residents, Thursday’s statements symbolize a rare moment of unity among local authorities, fuelling cautious optimism that guns could soon fall silent along the verdant Yambio-Mundri corridor.