The Deputy Governor of Western Equatoria State, Badagbu Daniel, has called for the deployment of neutral and impartial security forces in Tambura County to address the ongoing inter-communal violence and rebuild trust among communities.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Monday morning, Badagbu highlighted concerns over the tribal affiliations of the current security forces, which he believes compromise their ability to enforce the rule of law fairly.
“The situation is very complex. There are tribal elements involved, and some individuals in uniform cannot be identified. The cantonment process is incomplete, and it creates confusion,” he said. “Since they are not in cantonment areas, it is hard to distinguish one group from another by their uniforms. This makes accountability a challenge. We must address this issue by establishing a unified and neutral force.”
During a week-long visit to Tambura where he led a 30-member peace committee to investigate and mitigate ethnic tensions, Badagbu noted that some of the same forces involved in the 2021 violence had been redeployed to provide security.
“The deployment I observed shows clear divisions, one group, mostly Balanda, is stationed in one area, while another group, Azande, is also part of the force,” he said. “These groups belong to the SSPDF, but their affiliations raise concerns about their impartiality and that is why I am recommending the deployment of a neutral force to eliminate any perception of bias.”
Deputy Governor Badagbu concluded by urging immediate action to restore trust and ensure peacekeeping efforts in the region.
“I recommend redeploying a more balanced and impartial security force to ensure fairness and build public confidence,” he stated.
His remarks underscore the need for professionalism and impartiality in security deployments to achieve lasting peace in Tambura County.