12/01/2026
Torit Commissioner Suggests Firing Squad to Curb Killings in Hiyala
January 12, 2026 — TORIT
Torit County Commissioner Christopher Andrew has proposed the use of a firing squad as a drastic deterrent to persistent killings and insecurity in Hiyala Payam, Eastern Equatoria State.
Andrew made the remarks on Saturday during a community gathering of the Otuho people in Torit town, expressing frustration over residents allegedly shielding criminals responsible for violence in the area.
His comments come despite a ceasefire ordered late last month by Eastern Equatoria Governor Louis Lobong, which local officials say has been repeatedly violated. Residents reported that unidentified gunmen recently shot and injured a man in Haforiere village, while another resident disappeared under unclear circumstances the same day.
Andrew praised local intellectuals for documenting atrocities and advocating accountability but stressed that insecurity in Hiyala remains a shared responsibility.
“While many blame the government for the violence, it is a collective duty to protect our people,” he said.
He suggested that public executions could deter crime but acknowledged that international human rights conventions prohibit such measures.
“Anyone committing heinous acts will be arrested and brought to justice,” Andrew said. “Even if families seek forgiveness, the government will still impose an eight-year prison sentence.”
Addressing Otuho intellectuals living in Juba and abroad, Andrew urged them to support peace initiatives, accusing some leaders of being disconnected from realities on the ground.
“If you claim leadership but fail to support your community, you are only pretending,” he said.
Eastern Equatoria Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sport, Margret Idwa Okuye, also called on communities to stop protecting criminals and cooperate with authorities.
Speaking in the Otuho language, she said continued support for perpetrators fuels violence and undermines development. “Every time someone is killed, the people of Hiyala mourn, yet no arrests follow,” she said, adding that suspects are often released due to community pressure.
“This cycle only deepens suffering,” Okuye said, urging residents to report crimes and reject impunity. “Too often, guns are treated as if they fire on their own while the perpetrators remain hidden.”
Torit Mayor and SPLM county chairperson Oyito Baptist Soforonio pledged to launch security operations in Hiyala Payam, promising the establishment of justice mechanisms to address raids, revenge killings, looting, and ambushes.
“There will be decisive action in Hiyala Payam,” he said. “We need community cooperation to restore peace and allow authorities to do their work.”
Hiyala Payam has long been affected by inter-communal violence driven by disputes over land, cattle, and local leadership. Despite repeated ceasefire orders, insecurity persists, hampering social and economic development in the area.
