The top government officials from the neighboring Jonglei and Upper Nile states have promised to address the now endemic insecurity that has been hindering free movement between the two areas along the Nile River.
The move was announced during a meeting between Jonglei State Governor Mahjoub Biel Turuk and his Upper Nile State counterpart James Odhok Oyay on Sunday in Bor.
Matiop Lueth Atem, the Jonglei state minister of cabinet affairs, said the primary focus of the meeting was the growing problem of illegal checkpoints along the Nile River, which have been identified as worsening security challenges in the region.
“Both governors expressed deep concern over these checkpoints, recognizing the necessity of security measures while condemning actions that impede the free movement of people and goods,” he stated.
A statement published by the Upper Nile state governor’s press unit, quoted David Nyang, the state’s cabinet affairs minister as saying the key outcome of the meeting was to dismantle illegal checkpoints along the Nile which have obstructed the flow of humanitarian aid and essential goods into Upper Nile State.
“We acknowledge that these checkpoints unjustly restrict the movement of people and goods, which is detrimental to the socio-economic fabric of our communities,” he said.
Nyang said the two governors, Oyay and Turuk, announced plans to host a comprehensive “Nile Conference,” bringing together representatives from states along the Nile basin, including Jonglei, Lakes, Upper Nile, Unity, and Central Equatoria.
He said the illegal checkpoints harm the livelihoods of riverine communities and undermine cooperation and dialogue between the states, adding that the governors underscored that such actions could potentially violate human rights and emphasized the need for a coordinated approach to address these issues.