By Horn Africa News
Juba – Lawmakers representing Lainya County in South Sudan’s Central Equatoria State Legislative Assembly are raising the alarm over growing insecurity that is forcing families from their homes and threatening the region’s fragile stability.
In a strong statement issued this week, the legislators condemned the recent wave of violence by opposition armed groups across Yei, Morobo, and Kajo-Keji counties. They warned that the violence is not only uprooting civilians but also destroying livelihoods, as farming communities flee in fear for their lives.
Of particular concern is the situation in Kajo-Keji County, where tensions have escalated following the alleged encroachment of the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) into South Sudanese territory. Local leaders accuse Ugandan troops of attempting to seize land—a move many fear mirrors past colonial-era land grabs that redrew the region’s borders.
“The presence of foreign troops on our soil, combined with internal armed conflict, is placing unbearable pressure on our communities,” said one legislator from Lainya. “People are abandoning their homes, losing access to their land and food, and facing a humanitarian crisis that requires immediate national and international attention.”
The lawmakers are urging the government to take immediate steps to restore stability in the region and to defend South Sudan’s territorial sovereignty. They have proposed a multi-pronged strategy, including:
- Deployment of Additional Security Forces: Boosting the presence of police and national military units to deter attacks and restore public order.
- Community Dialogue: Establishing forums to open communication channels between communities, authorities, and opposition groups.
- Emergency Humanitarian Aid: Providing urgent food, shelter, and medical support to thousands of displaced families.
- Land Rights Protection: Creating legal safeguards against land grabbing and clarifying land ownership for local populations.
- International Mediation: Calling on regional and global actors to help resolve border tensions with Uganda and uphold South Sudan’s sovereignty.
- Strengthening Local Governance: Empowering local authorities to respond more effectively to security and development challenges.
- Incident Monitoring: Creating systems to track violence and displacement, helping guide informed response efforts.
- Long-Term Development: Investing in education, agriculture, and job creation to reduce reliance on armed groups and encourage peace.
As violence persists and borders blur, the lawmakers’ plea paints a grim picture of life in Central Equatoria, where political instability, foreign interference, and humanitarian concerns collide. Their call is not just for action—but for urgent intervention to save lives and protect the sovereignty of the world’s youngest nation.
