Eastern Equatoria denies rebel activity, blames social media for panic

TORIT – Top government officials in South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria state are downplaying the presence of a new rebel group linked to a comedian, calling recent pronouncements a publicity stunt causing unnecessary fear.

Comedian Feel Free last month announced the formation of “People’s Freedom Movement (PFM) and declared war on the government of President Salva Kiir Mayardit which it accused of corruption and disregarding citizens’ lives.

Later on, shooting at a Nimule police station, coupling with the newly announced rebellion, caused panic among the residents in the area.

But Magwi County Commissioner Benjamin Pole Pole Olum, speaking at a ceremony in Nimule, attributed the panic to claims by Phillip Watmon Bartolommeo, a comedian known as “Feel Free,” who declared himself leader of the PFM.

Olum condemned the April 25 attack on Nimule police station, which injured two civilians, but denied any connection to a formal rebel group.

He called the claims “malicious” and urged residents not to be misled.

Eastern Equatoria Governor Louis Lobong Lojore echoed these sentiments, dismissing the PFM as a social media creation.

He emphasized the region’s past struggles with war and rebellion, highlighting the devastating impact on residents.

“These are people who fight through social media platforms,” Lobong said during the same event. “They can post anything to confuse the population. This thing doesn’t exist, and they will never exist here in Eastern Equatoria.”

Lobong urged citizens, particularly the Ma’di community living in exile, to return home and rebuild their lives through farming.

He discouraged any attempts to reignite conflict, emphasizing the need for peace and stability.