Western Equatoria state speaker denies disappearing during unrest in Yambio

The speaker of the Western Equatoria State assembly denied on Thursday reports quoting senior officials in the area that he had gone missing during recent unrest in Yambio.

The speaker of the Western Equatoria State assembly denied on Thursday reports quoting senior officials in the area that he had gone missing during recent unrest in Yambio.

Governor Bakosoro, according to multiple sources within the state administration, including state information minister Charles Barnaba Kisanga, announced on the local radio last week that the speaker of the state parliament had gone missing, and asked those who may have seen him to notify the authorities.

Officials say the governor and members of his administration were concerned about the safety of the top legislator and feared he could have been caught in the hotspot areas during the recent unrest.

Speaker James Bage Elisa went missing on Saturday after communal clashes that left 10 people dead in Yambio. Days after his disappearance, Governor Bangasi Joseph Bakosoro told residents of the town to report to concerned authorities once they saw the speaker.

However, Speaker Bage said on Thursday during an interview that he was safe and had gone to his constituency from where he returned to Yambio on Wednesday.

“There is no problem. I am safe. In fact there was no reason to notify people about me because I did not disappear. I went to my constituency. It just happened that the incident occurred after I had gone for a visit to consult with my people.”

“I went to Gangura Payam which you know is the main supply of Yambio market. I went to talk to the people there to keep producing more food so that they keep supplying Yambio,” he explained.

The legislator appreciated the intervention of the national government and army to contain the unrest from spiraling out of control and for forming investigation committees.