A committee formed by the national government in Juba is in Yambio, the seat of Western Equatoria State, to investigate recent political fallout in the state government.
Two weeks ago, crises erupted among political leaders in the state after the deputy governor, Kennedy Ganiko, also the state SPLM chairperson announced that the SPLM and the other parties to the peace agreement had withdrawn from participating in the state government and swore to resume participation in the state government after the national government intervenes.
They accused Governor Alfred Futuyo, chairperson of the SPLM-IO in the state, of embezzlement of public funds, unilateral decision to deduct salaries, grabbing and selling of public land, and failure to provide security across the state, allegations Fuyuto rubbished saying they are meant to tarnish his name.
The head of the national committee comprising 11 members Michael Mario Dhuor told Radio Tamazuj upon arrival on Wednesday that they had met all the stakeholders including representatives of all the communities in the state.
“We are happy today that we are here in Yambio with all of my delegation from the Council of State, we were warmly welcomed by Hon. Alfred the Governor of Western Equatoria. We came directly to his office to inquire about the security situation in Yambio because a lot of rumors that Yambio is not stable, but we came here to investigate what is wrong with these two peaceful communities the Azande and Balanda. It is something very strange to us, we came from Upper Nile, from Bentiu, and everywhere,” Hon. Mario said.
He said after investigations they will present the report to the Council of States and President Salva Kiir after one week.
“The report we are going to take from here later after we made the consultations, will be taken directly to the Council of State from there it will reach even the President, this is our aim for coming,” he Hon. Mario stated.
Meanwhile, the Governor of Western Equatoria State said he was pleased with the coming of the team because the truth will now come to light.
“Whatever has been said in writing and telephones, we will now speak it on the table. We shall say you’re the one who did this and that so that the truth will come out, even if it is the governor, it must be said on the table,” he said.
It is not clear how many days the committee will be in the state.