FILE: Presidential Advisor on National Security Affairs Tut Gatluak Manime - CREDIT: PPU

Presidential Security Advisor Tut Gatluak Manime has directed the governments of Eastern Equatoria and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area to act responsibly and stop inciting youth following the killing of the Kapoeta East Commissioner in Kessengor Payam.

Speaking on state television, Tut met on Saturday, June 20, with Eastern Equatoria Governor Louis Lobong Lojore and GPAA Chief Administrator Gola Boyoi Gola to discuss solutions to the security standoff.

He confirmed that a central committee will be formed by the president to investigate the root causes of the border ambush.

Presidential Advisor stated that the government has stepped in to lower tensions between two regions following the killing of Kapoeta East County Commissioner Stephen Lowosio Lomongin in a disputed border zone.

Tut stated that a report will go to President Salva Kiir to form a central committee tasked with investigating the killing in the conflict zone.

“This land belongs to the government of South Sudan, and as a citizen of South Sudan, the law guarantees me the right to live in Torit and also in Pibor,” Tut said.

“The committee will go to the zone to investigate what happened, how and why the commissioner was killed, and the reason for his trip. I urge you to reduce tensions and stop accusing each other. I am forwarding this message to your governments so they can handle the situation and avoid inciting the youth.”

Commissioner Lomongin was killed after being ambushed while traveling on an official visit to Kessengor Payam, a territory claimed by both Eastern Equatoria and Pibor administrations.

Eastern Equatoria State Information Minister John Elia Ahaji stated that armed militia carried out the ambush. Ahaji alleged the attackers were influenced by GPAA Chief Administrator Gola Boyoi and national Deputy Minister of Information David Yau Yau.

Governor Louis Lobong condemned the attack and accused Pibor leaders of inciting violence, stating the incident happened days after Pibor officials entered Kessengor. Lobong called for calm and urged the youth of Kapoeta East not to take the law into their own hands.

Members of the GPAA Parliamentary Caucus pushed back against the claims from Juba, disputing that Murle youth were responsible. Caucus members stated that residents of Kessengor Payam belong to the Jie community, not the Murle.

A member of the caucus alleged that the commissioner entered the town with his escort firing shots, and that residents killed him in response. The GPAA caucus has called on the Council of States to set up an independent committee to investigate the incident.

Governor Lobong issued Executive Order Number 08/2026, setting up a four-member state investigation committee. Chaired by the State Information Minister, the body includes representatives from Military Intelligence, the National Security Service, and the Criminal Investigation Department.

Lobong traveled to Juba to present findings directly to President Salva Kiir. The governor stated that the suspects are known and include officials within the Pibor administration, alleging that some have admitted to and apologized for the killing.

He asked communities in Eastern Equatoria, particularly Toposa and Jie youth, to allow legal channels to handle the matter, while calling for the protection of Pibor citizens living inside Eastern Equatoria.

Edmond Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), stated that the killing was politically motivated. He warned leaders against blaming entire communities, noting that the Jie, Murle, and Toposa have coexisted for years. Yakani linked the violence to competition among political elites over natural resources rather than community disputes.

Yakani called on the Council of States to summon both Governor Lobong and Chief Administrator Boyoi to account for the security situation.

The Eastern Equatoria Civil Society Network also condemned the killing, calling it an attack on stability and the rule of law, and demanded an impartial investigation.