By Jacob Onuha Nelson
Some youth from Western Equatoria have requested President, Salva Kiir Mayardit to appoint a governor as insecurity surges in the state.
In a press release dated 23rd July, the youth claimed that due to leadership gap, cases of insecurity and division persist in the area.
According to the youth, the President should appoint a state governor, who will apply neutrality in handling the conflict in the area.
“(Appeal) to the President, to appoint a new and neutral Governor in Western Equatoria State who can bring calm and peace to the region and de-escalate the ongoing tensions,” the statement partly read.
The youth group accused Daniel Badagbu, WES acting governor, and Tambura County Commissioner Mathew Mabenge of fuelling the ongoing violence in the area.
The group claimed that killing and other atrocities are being committed under the watch of the acting governor and the county commissioner.
The group, however, called on the national government to relocate current forces from Tambura and deploy new, neutral ones.
The youth urged the president to remove the Tambura County commissioner as a remedy to the ongoing conflict.
However, Tambura County Commissioner Mathew Mabenge denied fuelling the ongoing violence.
The commissioner expressed that the state government and county authorities are trying their best to ensure that complete peace and stability are achieved.
He urged the youth to cease from allegations against the state leadership.
“All these allegations are because they know that they are going to fail and they have failed.”
“For me, I do not like such accusations,” he added.
Since the removal of the Western Equatoria state governor, it has now been some months without replacement despite the persistence of conflict in the area.