Residents and officials in Western Equatoria State have expressed mixed reactions to the removal of former Governor Alfred Futuyo, with some hailing it as a step toward progress while others voice fears over the future.
Members of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) have welcomed the decision, describing it as a chance to revive development in the state.
Silvano D Abiaza, SPLM Chairman for Mvolo County, told Radio Tamazuj that Futuyo’s leadership had been marked by “looting, terrorizing civilians, destruction, and tribalism.”
“Futuyo was not the right leader. His removal has given the people hope,” Abiaza said.
He also criticized the allocation of Western Equatoria to the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) under the 2018 peace agreement, arguing that local voices were not adequately consulted.
“We need to respect the voices of our people because they have suffered a lot,” he added.
However, the move has sparked concern among SPLM-IO members, who say they were not consulted and now feel vulnerable.
Mary John Osman, an official in the Western Equatoria State secretariat, claimed that the transition had left them in a precarious position.
“Our commissioner in Nzara had all his soldiers withdrawn. Some SPLM-IO members were arrested, tortured, and even had their offices shut down,” she said.
Nzara County Commissioner Lino Kuago Futaki, an SPLM-IO official, echoed these concerns, describing the situation as “alarming.”
“The removal of our governor has caused panic among us. My security detail was taken away, and we need the government to restore hope and ensure fairness in leadership,” he said.
Meanwhile, Margret Fozia Emmanuel, Commissioner of Mundri East County, acknowledged the mixed reactions but praised President Salva Kiir for the decision.
She said Mundri East had been neglected under Futuyo’s administration, with no police presence, development, or attention from the state government.
“Mundri is one of the most important counties in Western Equatoria, yet it was ignored. I urge the National Government to ensure real change,” she emphasized.
The removal of Futuyo has highlighted deep divisions in Western Equatoria State, with some viewing it as an opportunity for progress and others fearing further instability.
On February 10, President Salva Kiir issued a series of decrees unilaterally removing several senior government officials, including Alfred Futuyo, the governor of Western Equatoria State. Futuyo is a member of the opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In-Opposition (SPLM-IO), led by First Vice President Riek Machar.
Shortly after his removal, Futuyo fled Yambio, the capital of Western Equatoria State, following an exchange of gunfire near his residence. The incident reportedly involved elements allegedly linked to the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF).
South Sudan has been formally at peace since a 2018 agreement ended a five-year civil war that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. However, political tensions remain high between the parties as the nation prepares for its first post-independence elections, scheduled for December 2026.