The deputy governor of Western Equatoria State and SPLM-IO state chairperson, Justin Joseph Marona, has appealed to leaders of both the SPLM Party and SPLM-IO to denounce violence and prioritize peace and unity in the state.
Speaking to journalists in Yambio over the weekend after returning from Juba, Marona reaffirmed his commitment to the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), stressing the need for reconciliation and social harmony.
“Our priority is peace, peace, and peace. We have come for peace, unity, and harmony so that the people of Western Equatoria State can come together,” Marona said.
He added that he is ready to work closely with Former Governor Lt. Gen. Alfred Futuyo Karaba to address the needs of the citizens.
Meanwhile, Governor James Al-Taib Berapai described himself as a messenger of peace, urging the youth of Western Equatoria to move beyond past misunderstandings and embrace reconciliation.
“Peace must prevail so that we live in harmony. When we are at war, God is not happy with us,” he said, calling on citizens to stop violence “from the bottom of our hearts” and focus on development.
Civil society activist Edmond Yakani welcomed the deputy governor’s message, urging both state and national leaders to put aside political rivalries.
“I am impressed by the deputy governor’s call for peace,” he said. “He and the governor should focus on the integrity of Western Equatoria in the best interest of its sons and daughters.”
Yakani also warned that political power struggles and poor service delivery continue to fuel communal violence across South Sudan, stressing the need for leaders to act responsibly.