Authorities in Kapoeta South County, Eastern Equatoria State have handed over a woman believed to be from Ngauro to Budi County after she was found in Nakwasigira village.
Kapoeta South Commissioner Jeff Longoria said the woman was
discovered by community members in a bush area and taken to local leaders
before being transferred to his office.
“I received information from community members of
Nakwasigira that they had found a woman in the bushes. I instructed them not to
harm her and to hand her over to the chief,” Longoria said.
He said the woman was later collected with support from
local leaders and police before being taken to his office for coordination with
Budi authorities.
Longoria said the incident reflects improved relations
between the Ngauro and Longeleya communities following earlier peace dialogues
aimed at reducing conflict and strengthening cooperation.
Budi County Commissioner Julius Amin Ben confirmed
receiving the woman, saying the two counties coordinated the handover. He said
she appeared confused and would be assisted before being returned to Ngauro.
“The commissioner of Kapoeta South called me and informed me
about the woman. We confirmed she is with us now and will be assisted before
she is sent back to Ngauro,” Bent said.
State MP for Longeleya Payam Khalid Folto urged continued
peacebuilding efforts, calling on leaders and communities to strengthen
dialogue and maintain stability between neighbouring areas.
“Let’s do awareness and bring togetherness in our
communities. That is one of the reasons why we are on break in parliament. We
must go back to our villages and our constituencies so we can do awareness on
peace and security, and that is what we want,” Folto stated.
The woman was handed over to the Budi County Commissioner at
the office of the Kapoeta South County Commissioner on Tuesday.
The two commissioners said similar cases have been handled before, including the return of a lost child in January, reflecting growing trust between the two communities.