Governor Louis Lobong Lojore of Eastern Equatoria State - Photo credit: Office Vice President for Service Cluster

The Governor of Eastern Equatoria State, Louis Lobong Lojore, has called on the national government to arrest suspects linked to the killing of Kapoeta East County Commissioner Stephen Lowosio Lomongin.

Lobong made the appeal in Juba after presenting the findings of a state fact-finding committee. He said the suspects are known and should be brought to justice to prevent further tensions.

Commissioner Lomongin was killed on 11th June in the Kassengor area while on what state authorities described as an official peace mission.

Kassengor is a disputed remote administrative area located between the Greater Pibor Administrative Area and Eastern Equatoria State. Both authorities have recently claimed jurisdiction over the area.

The governor said the state government has submitted its findings to national authorities and is seeking intervention to ensure the suspects are arrested and prosecuted.

“We have all the evidence We need these people to be brought to juba and to be taken to court, to be investigated and taken to court to answer for the atrocities that they have done The tension is very high on the ground and if we don’t intervene as a government, people may take a law into their own hands So we are appealing for an urgent action by apprehending these people and be investigated,” he said.

Governor Lobong warned that failure to act could increase tensions and lead to possible retaliation by residents.

He urged the public, especially youth in Eastern Equatoria, to remain calm and allow the authorities to handle the matter through legal channels.

The governor made the remarks after meeting Vice President James Wani Igga, Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs, Chol Thon, Minister of Interior, Alue Ayieny Alue, and Speaker of Parliament Joseph Ngere Paciko in Juba, alongside an accompanying delegation, to discuss the incident.