Machar-nominated W. Equatoria governor forms fact-finding committee over violence

JUBA — The governor of South Sudan’s Western Equatoria state Alfred Futuyo has formed a fact-finding committee to investigate root causes of the ongoing violence in the state.

After several weeks of exchange of barbs among politicians including the opposition-nominated governor over a then looming ethnic violence, fighting started in several parts of Tambura county resulting in the displacement of over 4,000 people.

Radio Tamazuj also reports that on Monday, gunshots started in the villages of Matarungu, Nambia, Akpa, Bangaru, Maku, Dingimo, and Basanabaru.

Western Equatoria state minister of information William Andriano Baiki said the committee is head by the state minister of local government and is tasked with assessment of the security situation in parts of the state affected by the violence.

“We are going to look at the case of Tambura and how we will move forward with the resolution as the state government. We are not going to wait for funds or anything from Juba. We the state government have to go to Tambura and make sure that the SPLA-IO forces in Namatina and Zamoi and the forces loyal to Gen. James Nando are assembled and taken for training,” he said, according to Radio Tamazuj.

The senior state government official further said members of the committee will visit the affected villages in Tambura and recommend to the government possible solutions to the conflict in the area.

The committee members are to submit their findings to the state government within two weeks from the date of the decree, which was Monday.