By Yiep Joseph
Eastern Equatoria state (EES) government has welcomed the apology from Greater Pibor Administrative Area elders but called for the return of children it claimed to have been abducted in April this year.
According to Radio Emanuel, 89.0 fm, Eastern Equatoria State Minister of Information, Elia John Ahaji reiterated the need for return of abducted children and women, adding that it will add value to the apology from Pibor.
He claimed that over 50 children and women were abducted from Kauto in Kapoeta East County by the Murle community from the Greater Pibor Administrative area.
“We take this opportunity to remind the Greater Pibor Administrative Area of the unresolved matter regarding over fifty children and women abducted from Kauto during the April 2024 raid; we demand their immediate return, and the government of Eastern Equatoria State deeply appreciates the apology extended by Murle community elders regarding this matter,” John said.
In an apology letter dated 3rd December 2024 addressed to Eastern Equatoria State, the Murle Community leaders disowned a statement of Chief Administrator Gola Boyoi Gola during the 8th governor’s forum, blaming the EES government for the closure of what he termed to be the only survival road.
In his speech during the 8th governor’s forum, Gola blamed the EES government for closing a road that connected Pibor and EES, adding that it was the only road used for delivering humanitarian aid.
The community leaders expressed that the utterance was made by individual,Gola but not the position of government and the communities in the area.
“Our behavior does not reflect the opinion recently expressed by the Chief Administrator of the Greater Pibor Administrative Area,” the apology partly read.
It read, “we are committed to making amends and taking the necessary steps to ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future.’
The community appreciated the support rendered by the EES to Pibor in several cases and promised to ensure that the two work together toward peaceful co-existence.
EES state Information Minister John denounced the allegation made by the Greater Pibor Chief Administrator accusing the government of Eastern Equatoria of closing Kapoeta-Boma Road, which serves as a supply route for the area.
He expressed that EES states remain committed toward peace with neighbours, of which Pibor is inclusive.
“The state council strongly retaliated against its unwavering commitment to peaceful coexistence among communities. Eastern Equatoria State has consistently demonstrated goodwill toward the Murle despite ongoing challenges such as cattle raids and human abductions,” he said.