The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) has condemned the reported killing of two young men in Nagero County, Western Equatoria State, allegedly involving members of the security forces, and called for an urgent investigation into the incidents.
CEPO Executive Director Edmond Yekani urged state and national security authorities, military justice institutions and the presidency to ensure accountability for the killings, which reportedly occurred on Thursday and Friday amid heightened tensions following recent fighting in the county.
In a statement, Yekani said the incidents raised concerns about civilian protection and public confidence as South Sudan prepares for elections.
“We strongly condemn this. We call for justice to take place,” Yekani said, describing the reported shootings as unacceptable acts that must be investigated.
According to earlier accounts from Nagero County Executive Director Bernardo Gabriel Amin, one of the victims, identified as David, was reportedly shot dead on Thursday near Freedom Square while returning home from the market, where he had gone to buy vegetables.
The second victim, identified as Monday Valerio, was reportedly shot on Friday while sitting with his parents and friends at the family compound.
Amin previously said both alleged shooters had been arrested and taken to military barracks. The circumstances surrounding the killings and the alleged motives have not been independently established.
Yekani said the reported incidents could discourage young people from participating in the electoral process, arguing that the killings risk undermining public trust in security institutions.
“It seems some people or some individuals in the law enforcement agencies have adapted a strategy of eliminating young people in Nagero County, and these are potential voters,” he said.
He called on the leadership of Western Equatoria State, Nagero County authorities, the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), the police and the National Security Service to investigate the incidents.
Yekani also appealed to military justice institutions to establish the circumstances surrounding the shootings and hold those responsible accountable.
“We are appealing to military justice and other justice institutions to undertake an urgent investigation on this act of eliminating youth in Nagero County,” he said.
While expressing concern over the recent fighting between government forces and armed opposition groups in the area, Yekani said the security situation should not be used to justify violence against civilians.
“We are aware of what is happening in Nagero, tension and frictions between the government forces and armed opposition groups. But that should not be a ticket for eliminating young people in Nagero County,” he said.
He added that anyone suspected of committing an offence should be dealt with through established legal procedures rather than being subjected to violence.
“If these youth who are shot dead by members of the law enforcement agencies are in conflict with the law, then let the legal process take its course, not eliminating, not shooting at them,” Yekani said.
The CEPO director further called on security authorities to prevent similar incidents in Nagero and other parts of Western Equatoria State, warning that violence against young people could weaken citizens’ confidence in participating in elections.
Yekani said his organisation was documenting the incidents and intended to share its findings with credible institutions capable of pursuing justice and accountability.
He also extended condolences to the families and relatives of the two victims.
As of the accounts provided by local officials and CEPO, the alleged shooters had reportedly been taken into military custody. No response from the SSPDF or other government authorities was included in the information available for this report.
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