Call for Justice: CEPO Condemns Assassination of Moki Johnson and Young Girl in Lado Payam
In a poignant statement, Mr. Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), extended heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Moki Johnson, who was recently found dead near his car after being kidnapped for several days. “He was murdered,” Yakani declared solemnly, describing the assassination as inhumane.
Yakani expressed concern that the people behind this tragic incident are likely individuals of higher authority, not mere criminals. He speculated that these individuals may have embezzled funds from Johnson, who earned his money through hard work and innovation in the private sector of South Sudan.
While acknowledging that law enforcement agencies have begun an investigation, Yakani insisted on the need for a thorough and transparent inquiry. “Those who made threats against him or were in conflict with him should be questioned,” he urged, highlighting that these individuals could provide crucial insights into the circumstances surrounding Johnson’s death. He warned that this assassination poses a significant threat to the safety of the private sector and the business community in the country.
“The death of Moki Johnson sends a worrying message to the government: the safety of our private sector is not secure,” he stated. “If someone as innovative as Moki can be murdered in this manner, what assurance do other business owners have regarding their safety?”
Yakani called on government leaders to reflect on these alarming questions as they consider the implications of Johnson’s death for the wider business community. He emphasized the urgent need for law enforcement agencies to bolster their capacity to ensure safety and security.
In a separate but equally distressing case, Yakani also conveyed his condolences for a 19-year-old girl who was brutally killed while preparing for her examinations in Lado payam. He urged that her assassination, too, be thoroughly investigated, as it raises further questions about the safety of civilians in the region.
“There appears to be a dangerous class of individuals who are challenging the rule of law and the very existence of our government by committing such violent acts,” Yakani lamented. He called upon the leadership of various security institutions to take these incidents seriously and demonstrate their commitment to maintaining public safety and accountability.
As the community awaits updates on both investigations, Yakani stressed the need for transparency and accountability to restore faith in the protective role of law enforcement for all citizens.
