By Yiep Joseph
The commissioner of Kapoeta East County in Eastern Equatoria State (EES) was killed on Thursday following an ambush while travelling to Kessengor.
In a statement to the media, John Elia Ahaji, Eastern Equatoria State Information Minister, confirmed the incident and blamed the top officials from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area.
“The government of Eastern Equatoria State would like to inform the people of South Sudan about the killing of Kapoeta East County Commissioner, the late Hon. Stephen Lowosio Lomongin. The late was waylaid and ambushed by armed militia influenced by Hon. Gola Boyoi, the chief administrator of the Greater Pibor Administrative Area, and the national deputy minister of information, telecommunication, and postal services, Hon. David Yau Yau,” the minister said.
“The incident occurred while he (late commissioner) was going on an official visit to Kessengor,” he added
The minister called on the residents to remain calm, citing that the government remains committed to restoring stability.
“Eastern Equatoria appeals to the youth of Kapoeta East and to all the people of Eastern Equatoria to remain calm to allow relevant authorities to conduct a full investigation and bring those responsible to account,” he said.
The minister suspected armed youth from the neighboring Greater Pibor Administrative Area and called on the national government to investigate the incident.
On his part, Jacob Werchum, the Minister of Information in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA), confirmed the fighting in the area, citing that the government will investigate.
He confirmed difficulties in communication, adding that more updates will be released regarding the incident.
“We are yet to receive an update on the ground. Kessengor is very far from Greater Pibor, so we are yet to receive an update from the commissioner of Boma County,” Werchum said.
The circumstances surrounding the ambush and the identity of the attackers remain unclear. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and officials have not released details regarding possible motives.
Meanwhile, Eastern Equatoria State governor Louis Lobong Lojore issued a condolence message.
“On behalf of the government and the people of Eastern Equatoria State, I extend my deepest condolences to the family of the late commissioner, the people of Kapoeta East County, and all the citizens of Eastern Equatoria State during this difficult time,” Lobong said.
The governor condemned the attack on the commissioner and blamed the Greater Pibor Leaders for inciting violence.
He claimed that the incident occurred only days after leaders from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area entered Kasengor.
The governor called for calm and urged the youth and residents of Kapoeta East County never to take the law into their hands.
Following the incident, the Eastern Equatoria Civil Society Network issued a statement strongly condemning the killing, describing it as an attack not only on a public servant but also on peace, stability, the rule of law, and democratic governance in the state and the country.
The network expressed condolences to the family of the late commissioner, the people of Kapoeta East County, the Government of Eastern Equatoria State, and the Republic of South Sudan.
Civil society leaders called on both the state and national governments to launch a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation into the killing.
They urged authorities to establish an independent investigation team to determine the facts surrounding the incident and ensure that those responsible are identified and brought to justice.
The death of the commissioner comes amid persistent concerns over insecurity and administrative disputes in border areas between Eastern Equatoria State and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area, where local communities have repeatedly called for peaceful dialogue and lasting solutions to territorial disagreements.
The killing has sent shockwaves across Eastern Equatoria State and raised fresh concerns over security in Kessengor, a long-contested area along the border between Eastern Equatoria and the GPAA.
The region is inhabited by Jie communities living under different administrative jurisdictions, a situation that has contributed to competing territorial claims and periodic tensions over the years.