Yakani Threatens to Name Perpetrators Behind Tombura Violence

The Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), Mr. Edmond Yakani, has issued a strong warning to individuals fueling the ongoing violence in Tombura County, Western Equatoria State, saying he is ready to publicly name the perpetrators if the situation does not improve within a week.

Speaking to the media on Saturday, Mr. Yakani expressed deep frustration over the continuous bloodshed in Tombura, calling for accountability and justice.

“The blood of innocent citizens lost in Tombura must be accounted for. Those responsible for this deadly violence must face justice,” Yakani declared firmly.

Yakani stressed that the culture of violence in Tombura has persisted for too long and must be addressed urgently. He warned that CEPO is prepared to disclose the names of individuals and groups directly or indirectly contributing to the unrest.

“It is time to end this culture of violence in Tombura. Enough is enough! We will go public with the names of those fueling conflict without fear, favor, or selectivity. This is 2025 — a year of accountability and justice,” he stressed.

Yakani revealed that CEPO’s investigations point to several key figures, including political leaders, military officials, faith-based representatives, and community leaders, who are allegedly complicit in inciting violence. He noted that the organization will not tolerate any attempts to obstruct peace efforts in the region.

“We are aware of individuals spreading dangerous propaganda and manipulating facts to incite conflict. CEPO will not hesitate to name and shame them. We owe it to the people of Tombura to ensure peace and stability,” Yakani stated.

He further warned against politicizing the peace process or undermining peace dialogues, saying such actions would be considered anti-peace and destabilizing.

“The people of Tombura deserve peace, not war. Any attempt to prevent peace efforts will be viewed as a direct attack on stability in the region. We will not allow anyone to derail the peace process,” he added.

Yakani called on national and international stakeholders to step in and ensure accountability, hinting that CEPO is considering pushing the case to the International Criminal Court (ICC) if justice is not served.

“We are advocating for the Tombura violence to be taken up by the ICC. Perpetrators must be held accountable for their actions without reservation,” Yakani concluded.

The deadly conflict in Tombura has displaced thousands of residents, with communities caught in the crossfire. CEPO’s warning comes as part of a broader effort to end the violence and promote sustainable peace in Western Equatoria State.