Activist urges Jonglei, Pibor leaders to deal with insecurity
A civil society activist in Jonglei State has appealed to the area government and the administration of the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) to deal with the inter-communal insecurity in the two areas.
The Chairman of Jonglei Civil Society Network, Bol Deng Bol, said yesterday that the volatile situation between the two neighbouring areas needed an urgent solution before it deteriorates.
“I want to seize this moment to appeal to both governments of GPAA and Jonglei State to change their strategies and face the glaring insecurity head-on,” Bol said.
“If this is not the case at play, then I am challenging both authorities to curb this issue before it slips again right through our very fingers. I remain optimistic of a possible breakthrough against this menace.”
On Wednesday, 13 people were killed in Duk Padiet by suspected criminals alleged to have come from Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA). Among those killed included three females, and one male child, aged 10 to13 years.
Jonglei State has been facing challenges related to the insecurity that has always been blamed on the youth from the neighbouring Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA).
In January 2022, the former Jonglei State Police Commissioner, Maj Gen Joseph Mayen Akoon, said the attacks in Baidit led to the loss of 63 lives, over 24 injuries and the theft of over 2, 600 herds of cattle.
He warned against continued attacks saying it would sabotage prospects for finding peace between Jonglei State and GPAA. However, he was optimistic that peace would soon return to GPAA given that it was once part of Jonglei State.
“The government of Jonglei State is trying its best to convince the youth. Recently, the youth of some counties were trying to go to GPAA, but the commissioners were told to convince them not to go.”
Mayen emphasised the voluntary disarmament carried out in Lakes and Warrap states to be carried out in Jonglei as well so that the attacks would be limited.
“We wish that what happened in Lakes State should happen here to disarm all the youth from all the communities,” the Jonglei State Police Commissioner concluded.
Attacks accepted
Although the GPAA youth denied their participation in the attacks in January, the deputy chief administrator of Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA), John Joseph Abulla, told The City Review that they would investigate the crimes committed by what he called,“suspected criminals from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area.” But since then, no single report has been released.
“What happened in Baidit was very unfortunate, and it is not acceptable.” On behalf of Greater Pibor and behalf of my chief, I condemn the attacks, and we also register our deep condolences to the families who lost their loved ones, and we will stand with them, “Abulla said.
“We will remain very vigilant to investigate and trace out those who committed the atrocities in Baidit so that they will be accountable for what they did. We are committed to cooperating and finding a lasting solution to the problem.”
