A report from Small Arms Survey’s Human Security Baseline Assessment for Sudan and South Sudan (HSBA) said the speaker, in collusion with Azande traditional leaders, was fighting the Western Equatoria State’s governor, Gen. Alfred Futuyo.
Titled “Jemma’s War: Political Strife in Western Equatoria”, the 10-page report examines how politics in Western Equatoria have become highly ethicized, and why these dynamics could spark violent conflict in the lead up to South Sudan’s 2024 elections.
It accuses Kumba, a former governor of Western Equatoria State, of suppressing the Balanda tribe and fomenting intercommunal violence in Tambura County.
“The Rt. Hon. Speaker categorically denies these allegations. She considers them baseless, unfair and only a political gimmick intended to tarnish her image and public opinion against her,” the office of the speaker said in a statement.
According to the October 2023 report, the Azande Avongara elite around Kumba, are making a concerted effort to remove the armed opposition (SPLM-IO) governor of Western Equatoria state, Alfred Futuyo Karaba.
“This political strife has inflamed tensions on the ground, and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-in-Opposition (SPLM/ A-IO) and government forces have been patrolling independently in the state capital, Yambio,” the report said.
Since the 2021 violence in Tambura county, it noted, politics in Western Equatoria has become increasingly ethicized, with the Avongara successfully transposing political tension between the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) and SPLM/A-IO onto ethnic tension between the Azande and Balanda.
Consequently, it notes, the state government is divided between the two political parties, with both sides building up war chests in preparation for future conflict. Such violence could easily spill over South Sudan’s borders, warned the report.
Since 2005, Western Equatoria has had an ambiguous relationship with the SPLM/A.
The report paints a gloomy picture of the political relationship between the opposition and politicians from Western Equatoria State since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in Naivasha, Kenya in January 2005.
According to the statement, the TNLA speaker has been closely working with the SPLM-IO governor to foster harmony among all the ethnic groups in the state.
“This is evidenced by the peaceful atmosphere that reigned within and between all ethnic groups in the state during her tenure,” further stressed the statement.
Meanwhile the office of the TNLA speaker has called for thorough investigations into allegations as well as claims relying on verified facts from multiple sources.
“It is through fair and transparent processes that the truth could be discerned and the path towards reconciliation would be forged,” the statement further noted.