Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio has condemned the killing of Western Equatoria’s Director General of Education and urged the government to ensure justice.
Peter Mbia, was shot and killed reportedly by unknown gunmen in Yambio town last week.
In a statement extended to media outlets, Bishop Eduardo described the killing as a grave violation of both God’s law and the nation’s law.
“It is a grave violation of both God’s law and our nation’s law. It offends the dignity of human life and shames our collective conscience. No one, no person, or group, or authority has the right to take another’s life,” the clergy stated.
He further called for justice, urging the security apparatuses to stepup their role for the protection of civilians, noting that citizens should not live in fear of violence in their own homes.
“To our national and state authorities, we demand justice not in words, but in action. If there was any accusation, conflict or grievance, the court of law is the only acceptable place to seek redress, we further urge our national security organs, the entrusted protectors of civilians’ lives, to fulfill their duty to be visible, responsible and proactive,” read the part of the statement.
Western Equatoria state has been experiencing deadly conflict, which has resulted in abduction, road ambushes, and revenge killings, leading to massive displacement in Tambura County.
This persisting conflict in the State prompted many civil society groups, including legislators of Western Equatoria, to call for state government intervention to bring relative peace in the state.
Last month, former National Assembly speaker Lino Makana described the insecurity of Tambura and some parts of western Equatoria as a deadly, demanding for decisive leadership action.
“This is a moment for decisive leadership. We must act before the crisis deepens,” Makana stated in his last month’s appeal.
