In a statement addressed to President Salva Kiir, the Bari community has demanded the relocation of the capital city from Juba to Ramciel, citing grievances over alleged land grabbing and the arbitrary arrest of former Juba Mayor, Hon. Kalisto Lodu Faustino.
The statement, penned by Chairman of the Bari Community, Hon. Stephen Pitia Lako, highlights the community’s dissatisfaction with the presence of the capital in Juba, which they deem to be a curse rather than a blessing for the Bari people.
The Bari community alleges that the arrest of Hon. Kalisto Lodu Faustino on March 30th was arbitrary and politically motivated, linking it to his vocal advocacy against land grabbing and occupation of Bari lands by individuals from various ethnic groups.
The community alleges that these actions are orchestrated by high-ranking government and military officials.”We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Hon. Kalisto Lodu Faustino, who has been detained solely for expressing his views on the ongoing land grabbing in Bari lands,” the statement asserts.