“Now there is a humanitarian crisis”: Social Entity of Taombura-Yambio Catholic Diocese, South Sudan, Appeals for IDPs

“About five thousand people have gathered at the UNMISS compound seeking protection,” the South Sudanese Catholic Priest says, adding that the IDPs are exposed to diseases due to the poor hygiene and sanitation. 

Fr. Mbikoyo goes on to appeal to humanitarian agencies and partners to “quickly intervene and rescue the situation.”

He also emphasizes the need to initiate peace-building programs in view of reconciling the communities in conflict.

The appeal of the Director of CODEP in favour of the IDPs follows multiple appeals by the Local Ordinary of CDTY directed to the Governor of Western Equatoria State and to the South Sudanese President, Salva Kiir Mayardit to take responsibility and ensure the safety of citizens. 

In an April 28 statement, Bishop Edward Hiiboro Kussala pleaded with the Governor of Western Equatoria State to provide answers on the “whereabouts” of Fr. Luke Yugue and his driver, Michael Gbeko.

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“I write this note to ask the State Government (Western Equatoria) to find Fr. Yugue and his driver Mr. Gbeko and bring them to us,” Bishop Hiiboro said about the missing Parish Priest of Nazareth Nagero Parish of his Episcopal See and his driver, and added, “We are waiting for your quick response to this matter.”

In an April 29 statement he addressed to President Kiir, Bishop Hiiboro sought the President’s “intervention for the release and safety” of Fr. Luke and Michael, who, he said “are both missing for the last two days between Nagero County and Tombura County, the Wau road.”

“Your Excellency, I am deeply concerned about his disappearance and the state of affairs in Tombura County. You have to come in direct and impose state of Emergency. Your prompt response to this message will be greatly appreciated,” the South Sudanese Catholic Bishop appealed.

Earlier, in an audio recording that ACI Africa obtained on April 28, Bishop Hiiboro explained the need for the President to “impose the state of emergency” in Tombura County of Western Equatoria State.

“I cannot believe that in a given country people can go out and kill each other, burn their houses, make others disappear, cause violence and the whole structure of the government is there, looking and sitting and watching this. I cannot believe this,” he lamented.

President Kiir, Bishop Hiiboro said, “is the one to bring peace to Tombura; nobody else. He has to, because he's the president of the Republic of South Sudan. Nobody can do it better than him. He has the power, he has the influence ... we have given him the power to rule the people of South Sudan.”

Lately, the Catholic Bishop has directed Parishes and other institutions in his Episcopal See to have “organized prayer” for four days for the intention of the safety of Fr. Luke and Michael.

In his May 2 message, Bishop Hiiboro directed that Holy Mass be offered in all institutions of CDTY and highlighted various intentions besides “the release of Fr. Yugue and Mr. Gbeko”.

The Holy Mass, he directed, should also have the intention of “peace and reconciliation of the country.”

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