Governor Alfred Futuyo speaks during the inauguration of Balanda chief in Tambura. | Courtesy.

The governor of Western Equatoria State Alfred Futuyo Karaba led a delegation of senior officials to Tambura County to preach peace and build trust with the local population.

The area is recovering from the vicious factional and communal conflict which killed hundreds of people and displaced thousands of others in 2021.

Governor Futuyo’s delegation arrived in Tambura town on Saturday, where he attended the swearing-in of the Balanda chief.

An official told Eye Radio that the government delegation will interact with the displaced persons and the local population in Tambura, Nagero, and Ezo counties.

The officials will disseminate peace messages and assess the status of livelihood activities after the 2021 inter-communal violence that displaced thousands of locals and left many others dead.

James Severino Morris, the State Minister of Local Governance and Law Enforcement said the government is building trust with local communities

“We are trying to make people regain their hope let them feel that they have the government that have not abandoned them,” he said.

“So we are trying to make them regain their hope and also pave ways for other institutions that want to bring in peace conference, but I believe even in the camp yesterday the people there were asking when is the peace conference and we assured them that the peace will take off.”

Minister James further said about 300 people are still at IDPs camps despite efforts last year’s effort to encourage the displaced persons return home.

He believed those still at the camp are traumatized mainly the elderly and those who are unable to provide for themselves.