Western Equatoria State (WES) has launched a peace mission to Tambura, led by the Deputy Governor, Daniel Badagbu Rimbasa, to address ongoing violence.
Speaking to journalists in Yambio, Rimbasa outlined the mission’s purpose, emphasizing the need to de-escalate the conflict that has caused significant loss of lives and destruction of property.
“We have formed a committee of Tambura politicians from both the Balanda and Azande communities. The aim is to de-escalate the violence and foster peace. This is not a mediation mission, but a direct intervention to engage the communities and halt the conflict,” Rimbasa stated.
The Deputy Governor stressed the urgency of the mission, describing the current situation in Tambura as “negative peace”. He explained that the government’s role is to act swiftly to “pour water on the fire” and restore stability.
Rimbasa revealed that the mission includes representatives from SPLM-IO, SPLM-IG, SSOA, and OPP, as well as politicians from Ezo, Nagero, and Tambura counties. This unified team aims to address the causes of the violence and promote dialogue.
“We cannot solve this conflict with violence. Our approach is to include everyone—youth, women, and men—in this peace initiative. Tambura’s future depends on ending the fighting and creating an environment for development and harmony,” he said.
Rimbasa called on the people of Tambura to abandon violence, stating that peace is the only viable solution for progress.
“We don’t want to see more children killed or women suffering. Our technique is to determine the situation, stabilize it, and empower the community to resolve conflicts peacefully,” he added.
The Deputy Governor was accompanied by senior officials, including the Brigadier Commander of Police, representatives from the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). The delegation underscored the government’s commitment to safeguarding the lives and properties of its citizens.