Western Equatoria State Caretaker Governor Badagbu Daniel Rimbasa has appealed to former governor Gen. Alfred Futuyo and others to abandon rebellion, come home, and participate in elections, saying he has given them a blanket amnesty.
He made the plea on Monday at the Yambio Freedom Square during a public rally, which was also addressed by Odrande Tako, a youth leader, Flora Gume, the acting women’s leader in the state, among others.
“Those in the bush, Futuyo, you come [home]; you cannot rule in the bush. You are a former governor of Western Equatoria; please listen to my message wherever you are,” he said. “You come back and stand for elections. Do not destroy your homeland. We are here for peace.”
Governor Rimbasa also announced an amnesty for those who took up arms.
“Today, I am standing here as a caretaker governor, and I am announcing an amnesty for everyone who has taken up arms against the government. The way is open; come and surrender; we will welcome you,” he said. “I am also requesting the church and Islamic leaders to talk to these boys (rebels); they are our boys; we do not want more killing in Western Equatoria. We want them to come and elect their leaders, to come and participate as youth who can represent their people in elections. Some of them should come and stand for elections.”
The governor said dialogue was essential to ensuring safe roads, protecting civilians and creating a peaceful environment for elections.
Odrande Tako, a youth leader, urged young people who have taken up arms to consider their future and the welfare of their families.
“When are you going to have a good life? When are you going to sleep in a good house? When are you going to send your children to school?” he asked. “I want to call upon the youth to work for peace during this time of elections. I also urge my brothers in the bush to return home to work together to make Western Equatoria a peaceful state where people travel safely without fear of attacks.”
For her part, Flora Gume, the acting women’s leader in the state, expressed concern over attacks and reported abductions of women travelling along the Juba-Yambio Road. She said many women depend on the road for business and livelihoods, warning that insecurity makes it difficult for them to earn money and provide food for their families.
“We women are hurting because we are abducted on the highway and exposed. These crude practices are not part of our culture,” she said. “We appeal to our youths, our boys, that we are your mothers and sisters and use that road to improve our families’ livelihoods and put food on the table because government does not pay salaries.”
Meanwhile, a women’s representative who did not reveal her name for fear of reprisals urged young people not to allow themselves to be used by politicians in ways that could destroy their future.
“Without peace, there is no development; without peace, our children will not go to school, and we will not have access to the roads we are talking about,” she said. “Today, I want to call upon the rebels to come back home. Together, let us develop Western Equatoria.”
The speakers called on armed groups, the government and local communities to work together to restore security and ensure civilians can travel safely and participate in the planned elections without fear or intimidation.
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