Story by James Innocent
A 50-year-old man, Moses Banja David, died by suicide early Tuesday morning in Yei River County, shocking residents of Jigomoni and the wider community.
According to his close relative, Moro Samuel, the family had brought Moses home the previous evening after he was released from police custody.
He had earlier attempted suicide and was taken to the police station for temporary protection before being handed back to the family.
Samuel said Moses appeared calm when he returned home, and relatives took turns monitoring him.
“The brother who was watching over him fell asleep around 3:30 a.m.,” he explained. “By morning, we discovered he had taken his life.”
Moses, a father and member of the Kakwa community, had reportedly been experiencing worsening mental-health challenges. His brother, Malish Gordon, a staff member at Yei Civil Hospital, said Moses had worked as a compound cleaner for Across South Sudan but developed a mental condition that made him increasingly unstable
The family had attempted to place him under protective supervision, but the process proved difficult.
Mental-health official Simon Sebit Musoga say the case reflects a broader crisis. A psychosocial support worker previously reported during World Suicide Prevention Day that Yei continues to record high numbers of suicide cases linked to trauma, conflict experiences, and untreated mental-health conditions.
“People need to make use of counseling and psychosocial support centres,” the official said. “Unmanaged trauma can lead to severe stress, illness, or loss of life.”
In a related concern, Gaga Frank Osman, chairperson of the Yei Youth Association, warned that unemployment and social frustration are pushing many young people toward drug use, risky behaviours, and, in some cases, suicidal actions.
“We urge the government and partners to create opportunities for young people,” he said. “Jobs and support systems can prevent many of these tragedies.”
South Sudan’s prolonged conflict and economic hardship have left many communities suffering from deep psychological wounds, while access to mental-health services remains extremely limited.