Louis Lobong, Governor of Eastern Equatoria state.
Photo Credit//Charles Wote/Eye Radio
Governor Louis Lobong Lojore has urged residents of Eastern Equatoria State to remain calm and exercise restraint following the killing of Kapoeta East County Commissioner Stephen Lowosio Lomongin on Thursday in an ambush in the disputed Kasengor area claimed by both Eastern Equatoria State and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area.
In a condolence message, Lobong condemned the killing and
called for calm as investigations continue.
“I call upon the people of Kapoeta East County and the
entire population of Eastern Equatoria State to remain calm, exercise
restraint, and refraln from taking the law into their own hands,” Lobong said.
“I further urge all communities to protect people of Murle
residing within Eastern Equatorla State, and to allow the Government and
security agencies to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the
circumstances surrounding this tragic loss.”
He described the killing as a “barbaric and unacceptable act
of violence,” saying the commissioner had been carrying out peace-related
duties among communities in Kapoeta East before travelling to Kessengor, where
he was killed in an ambush.
Tensions over Kessengor have risen in this week following a
visit by senior officials from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA),
including Chief Administrator Gola Boyoi Gola and Deputy Information Minister
David Yau Yau, which Eastern Equatoria authorities described as uncoordinated
and a violation of territorial understanding.
While Eastern Equatoria State linked the killing to an armed group from Greater Pibor, GPAA Information Minister Jacob Werchum rejected the allegations, saying they misrepresented the situation on the ground.
“The accusations are manipulations. All this chaos is caused
by the Eastern Equatoria State government because Kessengor belongs to Greater
Pibor under Jebel Boma County,” Werchum said.
He said Kasengor remains under GPAA administration and
described the recent visit by its officials as a routine tour of areas under
its jurisdiction. Werchum called for the withdrawal of Eastern Equatoria forces
and youth from the area and urged dialogue to de-escalate tensions and
facilitate investigations.
Authorities from both sides have called for a national government-led investigation into the killing as tensions persist over the disputed status of Kessengor.