Lafon: Carter Center given 3-day ultimatum over dispute

The Kor community, a Pari subtribe in Lafon County, Eastern Equatoria State, has issued a three-day ultimatum for the Carter Center to evacuate the area unless it addresses concerns regarding an employment dispute involving its staff. The community accuses the Carter Center of unfairly targeting local residents in its staffing policies.

The Carter Center has been operating in Lafon as part of the Guinea Worm Eradication Program for the past three years. Its contract was recently extended after new cases of the disease were reported. However, tensions have risen following the alleged termination of five staff members from the Kor community under unclear circumstances.

Locals claim the terminations were selectively aimed at Kor community members, with accusations directed at program managers from other Pari sub-communities for targeting individuals from the Kor group.

Unyango Amujo Angelo, a field officer at Okwere Boma and one of the affected staff members, told Radio Tamazuj that he initially thought he was the only one affected but later discovered that all those terminated were from the Kor community.

“We need clear answers. Why are only our people being targeted? If there are issues, they should be addressed openly,” Amujo said. “If no resolution is reached, we demand that the Carter Center leave the area and allow us to live in peace.”

Upuk John Ibaki, a youth leader in Lafon County, confirmed that the staff members from the Kor community had been dismissed without any convincing explanation. “This is wrong. We questioned the Carter Center and asked why these staff members were terminated, but no clear reason was provided. It seems like there may be a deeper issue with the Kor community,” Ibaki said.

When contacted for comment, Lafon County Commissioner Magisto Ukachi Agweri acknowledged the terminations but downplayed the situation, calling it an “administrative issue.” He assured that the local government, in collaboration with the Guinea Worm Eradication Program, is working to resolve the matter amicably.

“Each organization has its own human resources policies, and we are following these guidelines. We are committed to ensuring fairness,” Ukachi stated.

Visor Likale, an SPLA-IO member of parliament for Eastern Equatoria, urged the Carter Center to address the issue promptly and fairly. He emphasized the importance of avoiding divisions within the community due to the recruitment process. “If this issue isn’t resolved, we suggest the organization leave the area,” Likale said. “The community is being divided over employment policies, and this cannot continue.”

James Garang, a senior program officer for the Guinea Worm Eradication Program in Lafon County, confirmed that some staff members had received termination notices. He explained that the program operates under specific policies, with contracts being non-permanent and subject to termination at any time.

“In Kuji, six staff members were employed, and two received termination notices. In Lafon, seven staff members were employed, and one received a notice,” Garang clarified.

“We are working to resolve this issue,” Garang added. “We will continue to coordinate with the Juba office and will explore options for replacing staff if needed.”

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