Youth in South Sudan's Jonglei state capital, Bor town, have declared vigilantism amidst reports of the deteriorating security situation there. 

The formation of the vigilante New Koryom Batallion comes a week after an attack that left 32 people dead in Bor. Officials blamed the attack on armed youth from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA); Pibor youth denied involvement. 

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday, Lual Alier Lual, a youth leader in Bor, said the new group will try to foster security because the government has failed to protect the people of Bor. 

“What happened to the people of Baidit is very sad. So the youth formed this group to go to their Payams to protect the people,” Lual said. “We are not going to the Murle land but to protect the land of Bor and Jonglei state from the Murle criminals.” 

Lual, who also serves as the Bor Community Youth Association (BCYA) information secretary, pointed out that they will remain committed to peace with their GPAA neighbor despite the formation.

“We are not against the government of South Sudan but we do not want to see our people dying when we can protect them. If the government can deploy security forces between Jonglei State and Pibor, no youth will think of a cattle raid because the government will intervene,” he said.

When contacted by Radio Tamazuj, both the Jonglei Local Government and Law Enforcement Minister Simon Hoth duol, and Joseph Mayen Akoon, the state police commissioner, said they are not aware of the declaration made by the local youth on January 26.