By Sabri Dibaco
The ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) has strongly condemned the killing of Akobo County Commissioner James Kueth Makuach.
The Party described the incident as a brutal act that undermines peace and human dignity.
During an emergency meeting held on Monday at the SPLM national headquarters in Juba, chaired by SPLM Secretary General Akol Paul Kordit, the party discussed the recent violence in Akobo County and expressed deep concern over the escalating insecurity.
In a press statement issued after the meeting, the SPLM condemned what it described as the “brutal killing” of the SPLM Chairperson and Commissioner of Akobo County, Hon. James Kueth Makuach, who was reportedly killed in Welgak, Akobo West.
The party also condemned the reported desecration of the victims’ bodies, saying such actions constitute a serious violation of human dignity.
“We mourn the death of our late Hon. Cde. James Kueth Makuach, who was killed in Welgak, Akobo West. This act, which included the humiliation of the victims’ remains, is a grave violation of human dignity and peace,” the statement reads.
The SPLM called on all armed groups and political actors to immediately stop the violence and instead pursue peaceful dialogue to address political differences.
Secretary General Dr. Akol Paul Kordit stressed that violence cannot provide solutions to South Sudan’s political challenges.
“There is no future in violence, Dr. Kordit said, urging all involved to abandon this path, opting instead for dialogue to resolve political disputes, the statement reads.
The party also appealed to the international community, regional organisations, and development partners to publicly condemn the violence and support efforts to preserve peace in South Sudan.
According to the statement, the SPLM believes such attacks are being used by certain groups as a means of pursuing political power, warning that they threaten the country’s stability and ongoing peace efforts.
“We urge these stakeholders to recognise that such actions are being used by certain groups as a mechanism to seize power, which destabilises our collective progress,” the statement partly reads
On behalf of SPLM Chairman President Salva Kiir Mayardit and the party leadership, Dr. Kordit conveyed condolences to the bereaved families and those who lost loved ones in the attack.
“On behalf of our Chairman Salva Kiir Mayardit, and the entire leadership of the SPLM, we extend our deepest condolences to the families of the Late Hon. Cde. James Kueth Makuach and all the comrades who perished alongside him in this brutal act. We mourn our comrade and stand in solidarity with his family during this difficult time.”
The SPLM’s statement comes a day after intense fighting was reported in Walgaak (Welgak) Payam of Akobo County, Jonglei State, where government-aligned forces and the opposition SPLA-IO clashed for control of the area.
Reports indicate that the fighting resulted in the death of Akobo County Commissioner James Kueth Makuach and several other officials and soldiers.
The violence marks one of the deadliest incidents in Jonglei State in recent months and has heightened fears of renewed instability in parts of South Sudan.
The clashes have also raised concerns over the implementation of the 2018 agreement, as political and military tensions continue in several regions of the country.
The government has yet to announce the outcome of any investigation into the killing, while political leaders and regional observers continue to call on all parties to exercise restraint and resolve their differences through dialogue to prevent further loss of life.