Activist condemns killing of Kapoeta East Commissioner, calls on Council of States to intervene

Civil society activist Edmond Yakani has strongly condemned the killing of the Commissioner of Kapoeta East County, Stephen Lowosio, and urged the Council of States to immediately intervene in the territorial dispute between the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) and Eastern Equatoria State.

The Minister of Information for the Greater Pibor Administrative Area, Jacob Werchum, confirmed the recovery of the commissioner’s body following deadly violence in a disputed border area. Werchum stated that the deceased was retrieved after an armed confrontation involving youth and uniformed personnel.

The Eastern Equatoria State government also issued a press statement confirming and condemning the killing of the commissioner.

In response to the incident, Yakani urged the Council of States to take swift action to stabilize the area and prevent further bloodshed over land ownership.

“As a civil society we are calling upon is we need to see an immediate intervention by the leadership of the council of states, which is a government legislative organ entrusted to supervise peace and stability at the state’s level and among states,” Yakani stated.

“For instance, like Eastern Equatoria and Greater Pibor Administrative Area dispute over ownership of an area of land such as Kessengor, it is the absolute responsibility of the Council of States to ensure that those disputes over ownership do not lead to deadly violence.”

The activist further appealed to the border communities to resist political manipulation and refrain from launching retaliatory attacks. He also demanded that GPAA authorities track down and apprehend those behind the deadly ambush.

“We are calling upon the communities that are at the area of the dispute between Eastern Equatoria and Greater Pibor Administrative Area not to allow themselves to be manipulated by politicians to enter into an armed deadly violence among themselves that will claim lives,” Yakani added.

“We have lost the life of the Honorable Commissioner. It is a criminal act, and Greater Pibor Administrative Area must undertake the responsibility of bringing to book the criminals behind the ambush of the Honorable Commissioner of Kapoeta East in order to account for their criminal and unacceptable act.”

The fatal confrontation occurred just days after authorities in Eastern Equatoria State and the GPAA exchanged sharp accusations regarding a controversial visit by Pibor officials to the border zone, with both sides claiming jurisdiction over the territory.