The Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of South Sudan’s Yei River State, Hillary Luate Adeba is appealing to the government and opposition leaders to commit to implementing the peace deal, saying the people of Yei are still suffering.

Addressing a community peace event at Ronyi village over the weekend, Bishop Luate said rapes, lootings and killings are still rampant in Yei town and its suburbs.

 “The civilians of Yei are not enemies to anybody, it pains my heart to hear that people were stripped naked on the roads by people who have no respect for human life and dignity,” he said.

He added, “We call upon our brothers who are doing this to stop it because the people of Yei are tired about this kind of behavior. We want peace, we are crying for peace and we want peace now.” 

The bishop urged the state government and the citizens to work together for peace to prevail.

“We are obliged by our God the creator to respect the authorities and equally the authorities have to respect the citizens. They need to be given peace, safety and also justice,” Bishop Luate noted.

Last month, some local civilians including Congolese and Ugandan nationals were reportedly killed along the Yei-Kaya and Yei-Lasu roads by unknown armed men in separate road incidents.