Western Equatoria State is one of the ten (10) States in the Republic of South Sudan. This State has a remarkable history due to it’s green vegetation, fertile soil and the peaceful and welcoming inhabitants of the State who have been living peacefully in the State amongst themselves and their neighbors for centuries.
Western Equatoria State had been very attractive to investors, UN agencies, the Non-governmental Organizations etc. This good name about Western Equatoria State changed dramatically after the appointment of Alfred Futuyo Karaba as the governor of the State. It worsened gravely after the governor was sanctioned by the United States earlier this year 2023.
All projects that are being funded by the troika countries and their allies are coming to standstill because they don’t want to support projects in a State whose governor is under sanctions. As a result, the people of Western Equatoria State are now the victims of the sanction while the sanctioned leader is enjoying his daily cake in the State House. The health system in the State is extremely poor and as such, there is high mortality rate among mothers and children. There is no support towards education and agriculture from donors. WASH projects are stopping as well. Donors have refused to cooperate in any possible way with the governor.
Was it necessary to sanction the governor?
Most people in the Republic of South Sudan ask this question that, should governor Alfred Futuyo Karaba be sanctioned? The answer from 80% of Western Equatorians is and will remain YES, he deserves the sanction.
Governor Futuyo is known as the worse governor of South Sudan at the moment. His aggressive rule on his subjects since he was a rebel leader up to now warrants for his sanction.
To mention a few, Governor Futuyo while a rebel leader took his force at night to the Catholic nuns residence and ordered his force to rape an old nun who eventually died few days later.
He (governor) placed his forces on Yambio-Tambura road who could rob passengers and rape women along the road.
After assuming the position of a governor, Futuyo has maintained his terrorist group near Yambio town who continue to threaten the lives of innocent citizens. Some are taken to Rii-rangu where they are tortured.
The people of Western Equatoria State are currently living at the mercy of God since most donors are pulling their funds out of Western Equatoria State.
The people of Western Equatoria State pray everyday and more on Sundays whereby they assemble in big numbers to churches to ask God for the coming election to be conducted so that they can vote out the tyrants who have spoiled the beautiful Western Equatoria State. It’s proven beyond reasonable doubt that the SPLM-IO want such leaders whom the poor community suffer under their administration.
Today the 14th of August 2023 in Yambio at St. Mary Catholic parish, the legion Mary group assembled for prayers . I interviewed one of them (name withheld) . She told me that they have assembled to pray to the Virgin Mary whom they celebrate tomorrow to intercede for the people of Western Equatoria State because everything has turned upside down in the State. People are living in great fear and poverty.
Freelance journalist : Mathew Uku
mathewuku22@gmail.com
Yambio- Western Equatoria State.
South Sudan ????????