His Majesty the Caretaker King of Anyuak People has called on the transitional government to protect the vulnerable citizens against armed elements in the country.

Akway Nyigwo questions the government’s commitment to safeguard the safety of the citizens while directing the concerns to Vice President Taban Deng Gait at the 1^st Anniversary of Collo Cultural Day in Juba on the weekend.

“We want to ask His Excellency Taban Deng about the person who is farming and the person who is moving in the bushes searching for people and killing them? Which one does the government want among those people?

He went on to say. ‘We have got our independence, and who is now spoiling the independence of this country?

King Akway appealed to the government must crackdown on raiders, bandits and other criminal militia groups to enable a stable environment.

“Your excellency the Vice President, we want this conference to stop bloodshed in South Sudan land. We want to agree that any person who causes problems in South Sudan, government have to decide on him … just for the safety of our people.”

Last year, King Akwai expressed disappointment over the lack of intervention by the government to address the root causes of the conflict in Pochalla County, describing it as frustrating and worrisome.

He spoke out after fierce fighting erupted in September 2023 between the SSPDF troops and armed youth leaving a dozen people dead and several others injured.

Responding to the plea, Vice President Taban Deng Gai said the government is committed to restoring the rule of law across the country.

“I will answer you like the answer of Jesus because was asked the same question, about the good and bad person, all of them are sons of God.

“So the good person and criminal person in the bush, are citizens of Salva Kiir, and the vulnerable Anyuak people are who are farming are also citizens of Salva Kiir.

“What we required from Salva and his government, Riek Machar, Taban Deng, Mama Rebeca Hussein Abdulbagi, Wani Igga and all the Vice Presidents is to implement the law for the people to be equal.”