Apology, which apology? Balanda Community to SPLM
The Balanda Community has defended its leader, Ukelle Gumasi, against the Western Equatoria State SPLM Secretariat, saying he will not apologise to the party as had been demanded.
On June 3, 2022, the community issued a press statement through its chairman, accusing the Western Equatoria State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kennedy Ganniko, of escalating violence in the area.
The accusation came after Dr. Ganniko, who is also the SPLM state interim chairman, had conducted “a peace tour” in Ezo and Tombura alongside the R-TNLA Speaker, Jemma Nunu Kumba.
However, Mr Gumasi alleged that instead of preaching peace among its citizens, Ganniko gave out frightening words that could easily jeopardise calm.
According to the letter, Dr. Ganniko, ordered the IDPs not to return to their homes until work was done in Tombura but they did not specify the ‘‘work.’’
The speech was criticized widely by communities across the country, as many wondered why he could have made such a statement.
After a lot of criticism from the public, the WES-SPLM Secretariat issued a press release condemning the Balanda community’s statement against its leader, describing it as mere propaganda meant to tarnish the image of the leader as well as the party.
“We regard this press release by the Chairman of Balanda Community as an individual and political propaganda designed deliberately to tarnish the image of the SPLM cadres and incite violence against the SPLM Party in WSE and in particular the image of the Speaker, Deputy Governor.”
“This is a total violation of Article 2.1.10.4 of the R-ARCSS, 2018, which prohibits offensive, provocative or retaliatory action such as the dissemination of hostile propaganda by peace partners against each other,” the WES-SPLM statement reads.
The letter further condemned the press release by the chairman of Balanda Community “in the strongest terms possible.’’
As such, the SPLM State Secretariat demands that Mr. Ukelle Eddy Gumasi, the Chairman of the Balanda Community, justify the reason behind the statement and apologise publicly and withdraw the statement.
