Rights body links killingof two Nagero youths to attempt to discourage young voters from polls
Activist says killings could be the work of anti-election elements seeking to discourage young people from participating in the December 2026 elections.
By James Chatim
Suspects involved in the shooting incident linked to government forces, SSPDF.[Photo: Courtesy]
Human rights organization, Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), has condemned the killing of two young men in Nagero County of Western Equatoria State, describing the act as “criminal, terrible and unacceptable” and a move targeting youth who are potential voters in the forthcoming general elections.
According to reports from local authorities and civil society, the two young men were killed in separate shooting incidents in Nagero County, allegedly by soldiers from the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF).
The identities of the victims were revealed as David, a Senior Two secondary school student who was shot near Freedom Square while returning home from the market, and Monday Valerio, who was reportedly shot inside his family compound while sitting with his parents and friends.
The killings occurred on Thursday and Friday last week, the officials said.
Nagero County Executive Director, Bernardo Gabriel Amin, confirmed the incidents and said two suspected SSPDF soldiers have been arrested and placed in military custody pending investigation.
For his part, CEPO Executive Director, Edmund Yakani, stated that youths play a significant role in voting, and such attacks are a threat to their democratic right and could scare them away from participating in the polls.
“It seems some individuals in the law enforcement agencies have adopted a strategy of eliminating young people in Nagero County and these are potential voters. This is in the face of the country preparing for election. This is an act of jeopardizing citizen trust and confidence to engage effectively in the elections,” Yakani said in a statement obtained by The City Review yesterday.
Yakani said one of the victims had gone to the market to buy vegetables and was shot dead on his way back, while the second was killed inside his compound.
“Who are behind such criminal acts, such unacceptable acts where youth are being eliminated? If these youth who are shot dead by members of law enforcement agencies are in conflict with the law, then let the legal process take its course, not eliminating by shooting at them,” he said.
The activist warned that the killings appear to be the work of anti-election elements seeking to discourage young people from participating in the December 2026 elections.
“This is a clear action of people who are anti-election and this is a clear action of people who want to discourage young people not to engage in the election effectively,” Yakani added.
He appealed to the Caretaker Governor of Western Equatoria State, the Commissioner of Nagero County, the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) of SSPDF, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), among other local and national leaders to intervene and ensure justice is served.
“We don’t want to see elimination of youth daily in Nagero County, in any other county of Western Equatoria State or in parts of the country. Perpetrators of this act must be held accountable because they are known. This is daylight shooting and elimination,” he said.
Yakani acknowledged existing tensions between government forces and armed opposition groups in Nagero County but said that should not be used as a ticket to causing civilian deaths.
“We are documenting it and we will share with any reliable entity that we feel can bring justice and accountability. We pay condolences to the families and relatives and loved ones of those whom we have lost in Nagero County,” he said.
Efforts to get comments from SSPDF spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, were unsuccessful by press time.
The killings come amid rising political tensions and security incidents in some parts of the country in the run up to the general elections.