Land committee chairperson shot in South Sudan’s Yambio

May 24 2016 (YAMBIO) – The Chairperson for Yambio county land dispute committee has been shot in Yambio town, capital of Western Equatoria state by unknown gunman.

Speaking to Sudan Tribune from Yambio Hospital where doctors were attending to his bullet wound, Reverend Father Charles Bangbe, explained that an armed man with AK47 rifle entered his bedroom at around 10:00 pm and ordered him to sit down, then shot him. The unknown gunman who shot him on his left hand left, thinking that he was dead.

Reverend Bangbe who doubles as Secretary General for Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Church CEEC, said he could not remember having a personal problem with an individual that could result to the attempt to murder him.

He however said such an incident could be related to the land issues because he had had been solving land cases in the land committee set up by the state government to address disputes in Yambio county.

“I am a pastor and think I have no problem with anyone which could result to attempt to kill me. I believe it may be connected to the land issues that I am solving to give back the land to the owners,” he said.

Mayor of Yambio Municipality, Badagbu Daniel, condemned the incident in the “strongest term” and he called upon the people of Yambio town to remain calm while the government was working hard to investigate and bring the culprit to book. No arrest has been made so far.

Meanwhile the Senior Rector of CEEC in South Sudan, Canon Yepeta Nathan, urged the people of the newly created Gbudue State [Western Equatoria] to refrain from killings but should forgive one other.

He further urged the people of Gbudue State to pray hard for peace in the whole country.

Church leaders have been targets in several incidences in Yambio since the outbreak of the conflict which resulted into unknown gunmen killing people at night and threatening others to die soon.

One of the Episcopal Church pastor in Birisi survived death at the onset of the conflict in the area and church properties have been looted and houses around the church burnt.

This is the first shooting since peace was signed between South Sudan government and South Sudan National Liberation Movement in early April 2016.

South Sudan is known for rampant lawlessness as such unknown gunmen also terrify citizens including in the capital, Juba, where President Salva Kiir’s government is based.

(ST)