By Awate William Umba
The Governor of Central Equaroria State, Emmanuel Adil Anthony called for armed groups to cease hostilities during Independence Day celebrations held in Kajo Keji County over the weekend.
“Let this day reflect and be a day of soul searching by all who are responsible for the prevailing situation in Kajo-Keji. We need the state to return towards peace, reconciliation, and development and stability,”Adil said.
He said thousands of people have been displaced to neighboring countries as result of conflict between government troops and the armed group National Salvation Front (NAS) which refused to sign the 2018 revitalized peace deal.
Adil called on the sons and daughters of the state to work for peace and development in Kajo Keji County.
“We the people of Central Equatoria State should shun and denounce violence because we have tested the bitterness of war. Today, Kajo-Keji stands as an example to us,” he said.
The Independence Day celebration was attended by thousands of people from Central Equatoria State and refugees from neighboring Uganda.
Kajo Keji County has been mired in violence between cattle keepers from Jonglei State and local indigenous farmers since the start of this year.
At least 27 were killed in retaliatory attacks in early February on the eve of Pope Francis’s visit to South Sudan.
