A Member of Parliament for Yei River County, Hon. Paul Yoani Bonju has raised an urgent public concern about a recent security incident in his constituency.
MP Bonju raised the alarm during a Monday sitting of the transitional national legislative assembly, and called for a special parliamentary discussion and the formation of a reconciliation committee to address ongoing conflicts.
He detailed an attack that occurred on August 1 in Payawa, a boma in Mugo Payam, Yei river County where he claimed forces from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-in-Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) attacked an SSPDF outpost.
The lawmaker, referring to the SPLM/A-IO as “partners in peace,” said the attackers burned belongings and subsequently clashed with government forces, resulting in the deaths of over 10 people.
Honorable Bonju reported that local schools were vandalized and school books were burned, causing suffering for citizens in the area.
He moved that the assembly should dedicate a day to discuss the nation’s crises “without fear and favor.”
Furthermore, the lawmaker proposed the formation of an ad hoc committee for “forgiveness and healing,” suggesting Bishop Emeritus Enock Tombe Stephen as a potential leader for this initiative.
Mr. Bonju cited past successful reconciliation efforts, such as the one led by late Bishop Paride Taban and Clement Janda that resolve a crisis involving the Cobra movement that fought the government.
In response to the concern, Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumbaquestioned the practicality of forming such a committee for what she described as a conflict between national and opposition forces, rather than an inter-communal dispute.
“Government cannot form a committee to go and do reconciliation in this particular context,” the speaker stated, adding that the matter appeared to be a military issue already being handled by the armed forces.
Speaker Kumba advised Bonju to present his proposal as a formal motion with a clearer recommendation, rather than as a point of information. As such Bonju expressed his willingness to move forward with the motion, emphasizing that the assembly.