By James Innocent
Two members of a civil society organization were reported abducted in Yei River County of Central Equatoria State, according to Arikanjilo Modi, a representative from the group.
Theon Maridi Road in Otogo Payam
They were identified as John Kenyi Santino, a Monitoring and Evaluation officer for Rural Women for Development, and Mandela Stephen Dan, an extension worker, have not yet been located, and their condition remains unknown.
The incident happened along Yei Maridi road in a place called Logo.
Civil society organizations in the county are increasingly facing challenges related to abduction while delivering humanitarian aid to grassroots communities.
This situation underscores the urgent need for government support to ensure their safety.
Arikanjilo Modi, head of the civil society organization in Yei River County, expressed concerns about safety, stating that many civil society members fear venturing outside the town due to the threat of abduction.
He called for a more open civic space that would allow organizations to engage freely with citizens on peace initiatives.
Modi urged the government to address the insecurity in Yei River County, emphasizing that creating a secure environment is essential for encouraging refugees living in neighboring countries to return home safely.
Meanwhile, Father Simon Khemis, another member of the civil society group, highlighted the distress many citizens are experiencing due to ongoing insecurity.
He described the situation as so dire that many people perceive Yei as a war zone. He called on all stakeholders to work together to stabilize the security situation for the sake of achieving relative peace.
He added, “Many people are reluctant to pursue the rule of law, opting instead to rely on alternative security measures. They often find that police procedures are cumbersome, involving numerous demands before any legal action can be taken. This leads them to seek shortcuts through other means.”