Governor Al-Tayeb vows to restore peace, security in Western Equatoria State
By Chuol Chanyong
As part of his strategy to restore peace in conflict-affected communities in the state, the newly appointed Governor of Western Equatoria State, James Al-Tayeb Berabai, has called on all armed individuals in the state to lay down their weapons.
He promised to exert all possible effort to bring peace to the communities.
Addressing the press on Saturday, Governor Al-Tayeb said, ‘I seize this opportunity to send a strong message to all the sons and daughters of Western Equatoria State who have taken up arms against their brothers and sisters.”
“Now is the time I ask you with a pure heart and clean hands to, please, put your weapons aside. I am here to listen to the grievances that angered you and led you to take up arms.”
He called for peace and promised to listen to any complaints and find a solution to them.
“Therefore, my request to you is to put the weapons aside and come with empty hands. I will be ready to listen to you day and night, to understand the nature of your grievances, and we will find ways to address them as soon as possible to enable the people of Western Equatoria to enjoy peace, security, and harmony. I have come for peace; war is not a way of life.”
The governor said he and his deputy have come to work for peace and restore harmony and security in Western Equatoria State.
The Governor also promised the people of the state and South Sudan that they can have hope this time that peace will prevail in Western Equatoria during his leadership.
Western Equatoria State has witnessed sporadic violence in sections of the state, which has led to destruction of property and displacements, affecting vital economic activities in the affected regions.
Several civil society activists have condemned the violence as acts of terror with immense impact.
Last week, civil society leader Edmund Yakani threatened to name individuals responsible for the atrocities and starving of the local population in Tambura, and to enlist them at the International Criminal Court (ICC) to be held accountable.
Yakani said his organization, Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), in coordination with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (CEPO), has documented all the violations and the individuals involved.
“Therefore, as we have been in Tambura and as I promised the country that as long as violence continues in Tambura County with its own various worst types that make our citizens pay the painful price, we are not going to be silent,” Yakani stressed.
“We are going to name individuals who have fueled all this deadly violence in Tambura. Of course, we have given the deadline as 12 September,” Yakani warned.
Hon. Berapai was recently appointed the new governor for Western Equatiria State following a prolonged period of absence of a governor, having been led by deputy governor Daniel Badagbu after his boss, Hon. Alfred Futuyo was dismissed.
