The families of two traders who went missing along the Juba-Yambio Road two months ago, civil society leaders and community representatives in Ibba County, Western Equatoria State, have appealed to the government to intensify efforts to establish their whereabouts.
The two traders, Emmanuel Kuye and Peter Zapiere, disappeared while travelling from Juba to Yambio after purchasing goods for their businesses. Their families said they lost contact with them shortly after they left the capital on 26 May.
Speaking to the media, Ibba County Commissioner Wilson Tetela said the Western Equatoria State Government is continuing efforts to establish the fate of the missing traders.
He said the traders are believed to have disappeared around the Zapere area along the Juba–Yambio Road, and authorities are working with communities and security agencies to trace their whereabouts.
“Up to now, we still do not know where they are. We are working with people on the ground along the route where we suspect they disappeared,” he said. “We want to establish whether they are still alive or whether they were killed so that their families can know the truth.”
He said the matter has been raised with higher authorities, adding that Governor Daniel Badagbu Rimbasa has discussed it with Central Equatoria State Governor Emmanuel Adil.
Tetela reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continue following up on the case until the fate of the two traders is known.
A local Payam chief in Ibba County said the community is concerned because the two traders travelled to Juba for business but never returned. He said their phones stopped working, and later information indicated that they were allegedly arrested around Zapere, but efforts to get clear information about their whereabouts have not succeeded.
“We are not happy as community leaders and the people of Ibba,” he stated. “We urge leaders to intervene so that we know whether they are alive or killed. We need clear information about them.”
The chief added that the community is ready to support efforts to find the traders and called on the government to assist in the search.
Meanwhile, Joice Santo, a sister to Peter Zapiere, said the family is suffering because they depended on him for support.
“We do not know where he is,” she said. “We need him back, and we are asking people to support us in finding our brother.”
Peter Zapiere’s wife, Pursila Bullen, said her husband disappeared after travelling from Juba and that some of his belongings, including clothes, shoes and a jacket, were reportedly found.
“He has three wives and 14 children. We are not happy because we cannot survive without him,” she said. “The government should help us look for our husbands and support the children.”
The Chairperson of the Civil Society Network in Western Equatoria State, Wanga Emmanuel, condemned the disappearance of the two traders, describing it as a serious human rights violation and a threat to civilians and business activities.
“We strongly condemn this action. Kidnapping is like killing because families are left without knowing whether their loved ones are alive or dead,” he said.
Wanga urged the government and security agencies to investigate the incident, identify those responsible and bring them to justice. He also appealed to anyone holding the traders to release them immediately and allow them to return safely to their families.
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