Inter-Faith Base Council for Peace, calls on Zande and Balanda Communities to stop Senseless conflict in Tombura County Western Equatoria State

The religious leaders have termed the situation “senseless conflict” since from time immemorial the Azande and the Balanda have intermarried and have mixed blood thus one cannot disentangle one community from the other.

“To you leaders, you have God-given mandate and constitution to unite and not to draw lines between the people that God has entrusted to our care,” the statement said at it also urged the people to desist from any tribal incitement and provocation.

“We call upon you all to move closer to your communities at this point and together pull out this evil that is taking root in our people,” the communique read.

The religious leaders through their communique also urged the National as well as the State Government of Western Equatoria State to fulfill the obligation by protecting and defending the civil population from internal and external aggression. “We urge the Government of South Sudan to expedite the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement

particularly the security arrangements, to remove shadows of armed and camouflage of identities of armed forces across Western Equatoria State.”

The religious leaders called upon the stakeholders, the international community, and people of goodwill to contribute towards the return of peace and normalcy in Tombura. Adding that attention is on the humanitarian and emergency situation that has been created as a result of the conflict. They called upon the UN agencies and other Non-Governmental as well as community-Based Organizations to come closer and offer relief, consolation, and healing to all the distressed without distinctions.

“As we conclude, we beseech you to stop the conflict and pave way for dialogue and

reconciliation. We urge you the leaders to be accountable before God and man for all your words and deeds. Be honest in exercising stewardship over the people of God. Therefore, earnestly pray that love, peace, and unity will reign in the hearts of us all,” the communique emphasized.

Citizens in Yambio town who spoke to Rurugene Online News courageously demanded timely identification of the root causes of the conflict between Zande and Balanda communities. They said that there is a need to bring to light what has happened over the years that have created inequality, fear, interest, injustices, and lack of rule of law in Tambura.

Archbishop Samuel Enosa Peni of Episcopal Church of South Sudan Western Equatoria Internal Provence, Rt. Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala the Bishop of Tombura-Yambio Catholic Diocese, Rt. Peter Anibati Abia Bishop of Evangelical Lutheran Church of South Sudan and Sudan and Rt. Yepeta Natana Sika, Bishop of Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Church were all seen together on the podium signing the communique as they implored the sons and daughters of the Greater Tombura both who are residing in Tombura and elsewhere to desist from talks that are fuelling conflict now in the area.

By Elias Ginana Mangbondo