The Deputy Governor of Western Equatoria State, Daniel Badagbu, has called on his former boss, Gen. Alfred Futuyo, whose whereabouts remain unknown after gunfire was exchanged at his residence in Yambio town on Monday night, to report to either the UN base or state authorities for protection, rather than fleeing into the bush.
This follows President Salva Kiir’s decision to dismiss Gen. Alfred Futuyo Karaba, the governor of Western Equatoria State and member of the opposition SPLM-IO led by First Vice President Riek Machar.
On Monday evening, President Kiir issued a series of decrees unilaterally removing several senior government officials appointed under the terms of the 2018 peace agreement.
South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan 13 years ago, was soon plunged into civil war after President Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar fell out. After five years of conflict, the two leaders signed a power-sharing agreement, though its implementation has faced numerous challenges.
Speaking to journalists in Yambio town, Deputy Governor Badagbu acknowledged the growing concerns over the recent decree and the resulting panic. He confirmed that Futuyo’s whereabouts remain unknown, but stressed that the government prioritizes peace and has no intention of engaging in conflict with the SPLM-IO.
“The former governor has served the people of Western Equatoria State as a leader. We do not want him to flee into the bush. We want him to come back, and we are committed to ensuring his protection as a former leader. Discussions will be held on how to provide him with the necessary security,” Badagbu said.
Badagbu, a member of the ruling SPLM Party led by President Salva Kiir, also reassured SPLM-IO forces stationed in Lirangu and cantonment sites in Western Equatoria that the state government is not deploying forces against them.
“We are not sending troops to SPLM-IO positions in Lirangu. All SPLM-IO ministers, commissioners, and members of parliament should remain calm and avoid going into hiding,” he added.
In a separate statement, SPLM-IO Spokesperson Pal Mai Deng condemned what he described as an attack on Governor Futuyo’s residence by unidentified armed elements linked to the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF).
The SPLM-IO official, who also serves as the national minister of irrigation, confirmed that the sacked governor is safe but has been forced to leave Yambio following the attack on his home on Monday night.
“Following the unilateral removal of Governor Alfred Futuyo Karaba, an unidentified armed group linked to the SSPDF attacked his official residence in Yambio. His security guards repelled the attackers, and he remains safe but has been forced to leave Yambio town,” Mai stated.
Mai also reported a separate attack in Tombura, where Angelo Davide, an Azande youth leader, was targeted at his home along the Nabanga-Tombura-Dingimo road. According to the statement, SSPDF forces allegedly set fire to his house, forcing him to seek refuge in the forest.
The SPLM-IO Political Bureau is scheduled to meet to discuss the removal of Governor Futuyo and Health Minister Yolanda Awel, as well as the escalating security concerns in Tombura and Najero counties.
“The SPLM-IO remains committed to the full implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) in both letter and spirit,” the statement concluded.