Eastern Equatoria State Governor Louis Lobong Lojore has appealed to South Sudanese refugees, especially those in Uganda, to voluntarily return home after years in exile.
Speaking during the ordination ceremony at Our Lady of Assumption Parish in Loa, the Governor urged the Catholic Diocese of Torit to join state efforts in encouraging repatriation.
“Let us use this occasion to renew our collective responsibility for unity — across all faiths, communities, and political lines.
“I appeal to the Madi community and others in the refugee camps: do not wait for someone to repatriate you. Come home. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes.”
He dismissed claims that Eastern Equatoria is hostile to certain ethnic groups, especially the Dinka, clarifying that the state is home to diverse communities and must be preserved for peaceful coexistence.
“For those from Juba, I discourage the misinformation that the Madi people hate Dinkas. The call from the Madi in Nimule was simply to evacuate cattle brought back from Uganda and return them to their original locations. Magwi County is for agriculture, not for cattle rearing.”
Magwi County Commissioner Hon. Benjamin Olum Pole Pole also called on the national government and UN agencies to support the repatriation of refugees, citing worsening humanitarian conditions in camps.
“Our people are suffering in camps. They are now grouped into three categories and their food rations have been cut. I call on the national government and UN agencies to facilitate their return. We must also support our security forces to ensure peace continues in Magwi County.”
