By Agele Benson Amos
In the remote villages of Yei River County, in Southern Sudan, superstition still runs deep in the blood of the local residents. Here, a mention of the word witchcraft sends shivers down the spines of many residents. Traditional medicine men instil fear into superstitious villagers, some of whom part with huge amounts of money to appease these ‘doctors’.But the ‘doctors’ are loathed because it is believed they cause suffering to innocent people. This perhaps is what drove a 35 year old man to attempt to kill himself after he was branded a witch doctor. Francis Likambo, a resident of Mahad area in Payam stabbed himself in the stomach following allegations he has been bewitching his neighbours and is now in hospital in a critical condition. The incident occurred at his elder sister’s home on Sunday 23rd January 2011.
Francis told reporters that he left his village in Bura in Mugwo payam because of allegations of witch craft against him by many residents. “I had to move to Mahad where I lived with my wife and five children because I could not stand the false accusations any more,” he said. But the accusations followed him even after fleeing his home. “I wanted to kill myself because I knew I could be attacked by mobs. It was better to kill myself than wait to be killed by a mob,” he said as he writhed in pain at Yei state hospital.
He added: “I thought killing myself would give the people in the village the freedom they needed. I didn’t want my presence to threaten peace because some people have been hunting for me for two days.” After a long meditation on the problem, Francis rushed to his kitchen and grabbed a knife which he violently plunged into his stomach. But death did not come as quickly as he wished and he was rushed to hospital by friends and relatives.
But while he denied ever practicing witch craft, Francis admitted his ‘careless’ utterances after drinking local brews made the neighbours brand him a witch. “It is true I sometimes utter bad words when drunk. People decided to judge me by what I say and what I do,” he said sadly. He said that just before he stabbed himself, a friend had told him that security officials were planning to arrest him.
Francis’ elder sister, Betty Kiden, defends her brother, saying he had never bewitched anyone. “I am challenging his accusers to show me a single grave of any of his victims, if truly he was a witch,” he said angrily. She added: “Witchcraft is inherited and none of my forefathers practised witchcraft.”
A military officer and a neighbour to Francis, Abdu Jima Timiyan defended him, saying he was an innocent man. “I have known him for many years. We often eat together. He has not bewitched anyone,” said Timiyan.
The Criminal Investigation Department director for Yei civil police, John Hassen Elsapa, urged chiefs and other locals to put an end to mob psychology and attacks on suspects. “Don’t accuse anybody without evidence. But even if there is evidence, only the police are allowed to arrest such suspects,” he said. He said investigations have been launched into the matter, as Francis fights for his life at the hospital.
