Kakukwa Community Seeks Clarification and Apology Over Festival Remarks

(JUBA) – The leadership of the Kakukwa Community has formally written to Dr Martin Elia Lomuro, Chairman of the Pojulu Community, National Minister and Member of Parliament, expressing concern over remarks made during the recent Pojulu Cultural Festival 2026.

In a letter dated 23 February 2026 from the Office of the Chairperson of the Kakukwa Community, and copied to senior state and national officials including President Salva Kiir Mayardit, the Minister for Peace Building, the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the Internal Security Bureau, the Chief of Military Intelligence, the Governor of Central Equatoria State and other community leaders, the Kakukwa leadership raised what it described as grave concern and disappointment.

According to the letter, during the public address at the cultural event, Dr Lomuro referred to a planned bloodshed and stated that a time would come when the Pojulu would declare dust on the Kakukwa people in Greater Kupeera. The Kakukwa leadership said that such remarks, coming from a senior national minister entrusted with the country’s peace file, were inflammatory and dangerous.

The letter states that the comments undermine the national peace process, increase the risk of communal conflict within Lainya and Greater Yei regions, and endanger the social fabric between the communities.

The Kakukwa Community describes itself as arguably the largest ethnic group in Central Equatoria State. The leadership warned that any escalation of conflict between the two groups, triggered by such rhetoric, could reach a scale that neither community leadership would be able to contain.

The Kakukwa leaders said they remain committed to being law abiding and peaceful but cannot ignore what they view as a direct threat to their security.

They demanded a formal written clarification of the statement regarding declaring dust on the Kakukwa people, a public apology addressed to the Kakukwa Community, and a formal withdrawal of the remarks.

The letter states that the community seeks an immediate and official clarification of what was meant by the term dust. It says that to the Kakukwa people, the language is seen as a direct reference to physical attack and an indication of ill intent.

While noting recent hostile activities in Kupeera and Wudi, the Kakukwa leadership said it had previously chosen the path of peace and attributed incidents to isolated individuals. However, it said the public statement by the Pojulu Chairman suggested that such actions could reflect official policy against the Kakukwa.

The community further stated that the role of a senior Cabinet Minister involves building national peace and that uttering such statements raises serious concern.

By copying the letter to both state and national government authorities, the Kakukwa leadership said it was bringing the matter to the attention of the relevant institutions, describing the remarks as a serious threat to state and national security.

The letter concludes by stating that the community will remain vigilant and continue to cooperate with government on matters of culture and community wellbeing, but will not stand by while its people are publicly threatened. The leadership expressed hope for a timely response to avoid further tension and unnecessary assumptions among the people.

The letter was signed by Dada Isaac Lemi, Chairman of the Kakukwa Community, Republic of South Sudan.