Governor Adil to Armed Groups: “Enough is Enough, Join Peace Efforts”

(LAINYA COUNTY) – The Governor of Central Equatoria State, Emmanuel Adil Anthony, has called on armed opposition groups operating in Lainya, Morobo and Yei River counties to renounce violence and join ongoing efforts to promote peace and stability in the state.

Parts of southern Central Equatoria, particularly Lainya, Yei River and Morobo counties, have continued to experience insecurity, including road ambushes, kidnappings, attacks on civilians and other human rights abuses in the aftermath of the 2016 conflict.

Speaking at a public rally in Lainya County on Friday, Governor Adil reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to peace, security and dialogue as key pillars for restoring stability in the region.

“The first thing I want to say here is security with all the security organs, including the commissioner of Lainya and the state government is security and protection of civilians and I was told that there are armed people who came from Panyume to loot civilians in Kupera, my call to them is that, let the civilians be in peace and focus on farming,” Adil said.

The governor noted that the state government and security commanders remain ready to engage in peace and reconciliation initiatives aimed at ending the cycle of violence.

“If the armed groups have problems, let them join efforts for peace because the government and the commanders are ready to receive them. For those who took arms against the government, enough is enough. There is no need to fight in the bush, and if there are sons of Central Equatoria and Lainya County who joined the war, they should join peace,” he said.

Governor Adil stressed that more than two decades after South Sudan’s independence, the focus should now be on development, education and peaceful coexistence rather than conflict.

He urged all armed groups to embrace peace and help create an environment where children can attend school and communities can rebuild their livelihoods. The governor further called for an end to insecurity in Lainya and Morobo counties to pave the way for lasting peace and development across the state.