The new payam headquarters was inaugurated in Aweil East County in Northern Bahr el Ghazal on Thursday.

The building was constructed by AECOM, a US company contracted by the US Agency for International Development (USAID). Addressing the attendees, US ambassador to South Sudan, Susan Page, praised the border communities for helping the authorities of Northern Bahr el Ghazal to maintain peace in the area.

“I want to thank you all for making this place a peaceful location for people to exist together North and South”.

The newly opened county of Majok Nyin Thiou is an “entry point” between Sudan and South Sudan – one of three remote border locations in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state where the USAID constructed government offices this year in order to build local authorities’ capacity to manage conflict in area where pastoralist and host communities interact.

Ambassador Page further elaborated that she thinks the reason why peace existed between the border communities was because of their attitude and efforts they put to make peace.

“I believe the situation here in Majok as well as Gok Machar, Warawar and many other communities along the annual migration route sets an example for two important reasons: first, the way in which the peace is being maintained in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, illustrates the will of the local communities to work with their state government, and positive peaceful resolution of conflict”, said Page to the local community.

“This year’s annual migration is a success because communities decided that peace is in their best interest. With peace comes stability and development such as education for your children. Greater access to markets including the peace market we passed along the way. And a security that is needed for farming and herding so that you can improve and prosper”, remarked Page.

Governor Paul Malong told the community that the initiation of Majok Yinhthiou payam was a part of development which they were looking for.

Replying to the request made earlier by the community from the state government to build schools, hospitals and boreholes, Malong asked the community to first do their part by making local bricks so that the government could complete the rest.

File photo: Aweil East County Headquarters (Radio Tamazuj)