The Central Equatoria State Civil Society Network (CESCSN) has issued a strong call for immediate government intervention following a surge in deadly violence and insecurity across several counties in Central Equatoria State.
In a press statement released on Saturday, the network expressed deep concern over the killing of dozens of civilians during February 2026, warning that continued violence threatens lives, livelihoods, and the region’s fragile peace.
According to CESCSN, at least 16 people were killed on 11 February 2026 in cattle-related clashes in Lainya County, allegedly involving armed groups from the Mundari and Bor communities.
In a separate incident, at least 27 people reportedly died on 19 February 2026 during inter-clan fighting between the Kogi and Yari sub-communities in Terekeka County.
The network also cited a 20 February attack in Garbu Village, Mangalla Payam, Juba County, where armed criminals allegedly destroyed farmlands, assaulted farmers, erected temporary shelters, and forcibly displaced local residents.
CESCSN warned that the escalating insecurity is severely disrupting agricultural activities at the start of the 2026 farming season, particularly in Yei River and Lainya counties, where youth engaged in commercial farming have reportedly seen their crops destroyed.
The coalition further raised alarm over growing humanitarian and security concerns, including repeated road ambushes along the Yei–Kaya road, forced displacement in Morobo, Lainya, Yei, and Terekeka, and the abduction of humanitarian workers, especially in Yei and Morobo counties.
It also pointed to unresolved land disputes, notably at Romogi Trading Centre in Kajo Keji County, involving the Karuk and Madi clans, warning that unresolved tensions could trigger further violence.
“The current situation risks deepening food insecurity, unemployment, and poverty among already vulnerable communities,” the statement warned.
The civil society network urged the Central Equatoria State government, under Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony Wani, with support from the national government led by President Salva Kiir Mayardit, to take swift, coordinated, and sustained action.
Among its key recommendations are the immediate deployment of police and other security forces to protect civilians, the establishment of inclusive investigation committees to assess destruction and ensure accountability, and regular state and national radio and television briefings to restore public confidence and deter perpetrators.
CESCSN also called for county-level dialogue between armed cattle herders and host communities in Yei and Lainya, the transparent return of looted cattle and property, and a high-level inter-state dialogue between Central Equatoria and Jonglei states to address recurring cattle-related conflicts.
Additional recommendations include the review and enforcement of cattle migration laws, the establishment of an early-warning system, strengthened coordination between government and civil society actors including faith-based groups and the demilitarization of armed cattle herders and civilian populations nationwide.
While acknowledging the state government’s stated priorities of peace, security, social cohesion, and economic recovery through agriculture, CESCSN stressed that urgent action is required to translate commitments into tangible protection for civilians.
“We strongly call for a speedy, coordinated and sustainable end to these peace and security setbacks,” the statement read, emphasizing the need to protect lives, safeguard livelihoods, and rebuild trust among communities.
The statement was copied to the Office of the President, the Central Equatoria State leadership, county commissioners of affected areas, and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) field office in Juba.
CESCSN concluded by urging all parties involved directly or indirectly in the conflicts to renounce violence and commit to peaceful dialogue in the interest of long-term stability in Central Equatoria State.
