Former Juba Mayor Proposes Leadership Summit Over Rising Violence in Greater Yei Region

(LAINYA COUNTY) – A senior political figure in Central Equatoria State has called for an emergency leadership meeting to address what he describes as worsening insecurity in the Greater Yei region.

Emmanuel Khamis Richard, the former commissioner of Lainya County and acting mayor (former) of Juba City, expressed concern over the escalating violence in the region, particularly in Morobo, Yei, Lainya and Kajo-Keji counties.

He appealed for an urgent crisis meeting involving the commissioners of the four counties, stating that the situation was deteriorating rapidly.

“I urge the four honourable commissioners of Yei, Lainya, Morobo and Kajo-Keji to convene an emergency crisis meeting to address this situation,” he said.

Khamis proposed that the meeting should bring together a wide range of stakeholders, including national Members of Parliament, national ministers and deputy ministers, members of the Council of States, state ministers, members of the State Legislative Assembly, traditional leaders, women and youth representatives.

He argued that a united and inclusive approach would help generate solutions to restore sustainable peace and security in the region.

“These stakeholders should be involved to discuss the situation and come up with strategies to restore sustainable security and peace along this part of the State which is turning volatile before our very eyes,” he said.

Khamis urged the national and state governments to support the initiative, stressing that coordinated political action was essential. He recommended that the first meeting be hosted in Morobo County, one of the areas hardest hit by recent clashes.

“Inclusive engagement is necessary to contain the situation before it goes completely out of hand,” he warned.

The former commissioner also spoke of the duty of leadership during moments of crisis.

“Leaders must take the lead to safeguard their people and their properties. Good leaders sacrifice their own lives and properties to protect their people, not sacrifice their people to protect their positions and wealth,” he added.

Khamis said he was deeply concerned by a pattern of insecurity, including the displacement of civilians, ambushes, abductions of humanitarian workers and the suspension of humanitarian operations in the affected areas.

“Humanitarian partners are being targeted and are pulling out their services, which affects the ordinary and poor people,” he said. “The gap between leaders and their constituencies is creating a vacuum for insecurity, so the meeting will bring leaders closer to their people.”

Violence continues in several counties within Greater Yei. In Morobo and Yei, armed clashes between forces of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) and the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) have been reported.

Meanwhile, in Kajo-Keji, confrontations have erupted between the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) and the SSPDF at the South Sudan–Uganda border.

The recent increase in violence has triggered fresh displacement, worsening humanitarian conditions and prompting renewed calls for dialogue and protection of civilians.

Affected counties and nature of reported incidents: