Jonglei State authorities are calling for the deployment of unified forces across the region to enhance security, particularly as displaced residents prepare to return home ahead of upcoming festivities.
Elizabeth Nyadak John, the Information Minister for Jonglei State, highlighted the worsening security situation in certain areas since the beginning of the month. She pointed to armed youth, believed to be from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA), escalating attacks on Jonglei territories.
In an interview with Radio Tamazuj on Thursday, Minister Nyadak stated that the armed Pibor youth are actively mobilizing and deploying across Jonglei State, posing a significant threat to the resettlement of displaced residents, especially in the lead-up to the general elections in 2024. She specifically accused the GPAA youth of targeting Jonglei State people and provided details of recent attacks.
“These people from GPAA are targeting Jonglei State people. On 6 December, they attacked Wunbil village in Nyirol, injuring two women. These are part of their youth who are mobilizing to attack,” Nyadak explained. “Recently, they went away with four children from one family in Ayod County. In Uror, three siblings were abducted, and in Akobo West, they abducted two children, including a 2-month-old baby, from breastfeeding mothers. All these incidents, including attacks on Bor and surrounding counties, occurred within this month.”
Nyadak, the official state government spokesperson, emphasized the critical nature of the security situation and called for the immediate deployment of unified forces to provide protection. She also appealed to the authorities of the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) to advise their youth against launching attacks on Jonglei State territories.
“As our people are actively preparing for festivities, they find themselves under attack. The GPAA is well aware of the ongoing security challenges in Jonglei State. We urge them to caution their youth. Now that the unified forces have completed their training, we are urging them to come to Jonglei State to safeguard our citizens, as our local youth have chosen not to engage in hostilities,” Nyadak explained.
Abraham Kelang, the Information Minister for the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA), asserted that they have no knowledge of Pibor youth participating in attacks in Jonglei State. He called on Jonglei authorities to refrain from making accusations against their youth without concrete evidence and encouraged them to apprehend any suspects believed to be from GPAA for proper legal proceedings.
“As both the governments of GPAA and Jonglei State operate under the umbrella of the national government and are committed to peace, we categorically deny any involvement of our youth in mobilizing for attacks on our neighbours. We are unaware of any such youth-led attacks,” Kelang stated.
“In fact, we are actively targeting criminals, as they are a common enemy. Therefore, we urge the Jonglei State government to arrest individuals they suspect to be from Pibor so that legal action can be taken against them,” he added.
Kelang emphasized their dedication to fostering peace and mentioned an ongoing initiative to facilitate dialogue between youth from Jonglei State and Pibor as part of their commitment to resolving conflicts through peaceful means.
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