Lobong assures SPLM-IO State leaders of security

By Theophilous Ochang

The Governor of Eastern Equatoria State, Louis Lobong Lojore has assured the SPLM-IO political leaders in the State of the normal security situation.

This comes following his meeting with the SPLM-IO political leaders in his office on Friday over the security situation and ongoing tension in Nasir.

The meeting came amid fear of escalating tension from the ongoing fighting between the South Sudan People’s Defense forces (SSPDF) and the SPLA-IO allied militias White Army in Nasir and the arrest of some SPLM-IO officials in Juba.

Addressing the media after the meeting, the press secretary in the office of the governor, Oringa John Godfrey, said Lobong echoed the president’s statement of not returning the country back to war.

“All in all, the governor stressed to them that there will be no kind of war in Eastern Equatoria State and Eastern Equatoria will not be used as the battle ground for the interest of some few individuals,” Oringa said.

Lobong assured the opposition political leaders in the state of the peaceful environment and called on them to collaborate and work together in implementing the 2018 R-ARCSS.

The most important thing is for them to continue working together to implement the revitalized peace agreement, and there is no any threat against anyone. There is no tension, so let them feel free.”  

Meanwhile, Jildo Abala Remmy, the State acting chairperson for the SPLM-IO, who also doubles as the Minister of Roads and Bridges, said the meeting was fruitful and he called on the communities in the state to continue with their duties normally.

“My message as an IO to the communities of Eastern Equatoria State is let them be normal and let them continue with their normal duties and not to fear,” he said.

Remmy said the only solution to attain togetherness in the country is through advocating for peace, stressing that wars have been disturbing the people and urging those wrangling for power to patiently wait.

“In the past we had the wars here in South Sudan and we already achieved our independence, what again is the next thing?”

“If it’s a matter of leadership, leadership will come, you just wait patiently,” he remarked.