Representatives of Akobo Anyuak of Ciro people in the government of South Sudan’s Akobo State said in a petition that the demand by some members of Anyuak community to separate from Akobo has no justification, describing it as “misleading.”

The petition dated 5 September and signed by nine constitutional post holders from Akobo Anyuak said their community has been living in harmony with Moor section of the Lou-Nuer tribe for decades.

“Those Akobo Anyuak fellows who wrote the so-called exit from the Akobo State are few individuals who do not represent the views and opinions of Akobo Anyuak-Ciro political constituency, but only themselves,” the representatives said.

They further said the current Akobo state government comprises of representatives and constitutional post holders representing Akobo Anyuak political interest. “It is solely the responsibility of those representatives to voice the concern of our community on political issues, because they have the political authority and responsibility to speak on behave of the community in such issues of political nature,” they said.

The politicians pointed out that the current power-sharing after the 2015 peace accord at the national and state levels is not based on ethnic representation but on representation of political parties.

“We admit that there are political and social challenges facing the Akobo Anyuak – Ciro, but we think all these challenges can be resolved amicably in good faith with a sincere political will and commitment through genuine dialogue and negotiations,” the representatives said in their petition.

“We are dedicated to building bridges and not walls, because we strongly believe in living in peace, co-existence and harmony for mutual benefit of both communities and for the benefit of our generations to come,” they added.

The petition was signed by Thomas Omot Opodde, state adviser on security affairs, Apodo Ojulo Okoth, speaker of the state legislative assembly, James Apay Ochalla, state minister of finance, and Thomas Onyango Okan, deputy mayor of Akobo twon.

The other officials include Joseph Lual Obang, Alile commissioner, Peter Oballa Ojulo, state MP, John Opiew Olok, state MP, Barnaba Okony Gilo, state MP and Stephen Ogout Obongo, state MP.

The politicians were reacting to a petition written by more than 80 Anyuak intellectuals in August asking President Kiir to annex their area to Pochalla to become Gilo state.

The petition dated 19 August stated that the Akobo State created by President Kiir was not based on the 1956 borders.