The Kachipo Community, also known as Suri, is demanding a separate administrative area and wants to exit the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) over alleged marginalization.

 Speaking to Radio Tamazuj from Jebel Boma County, Simon Barchamu Moralombo Baricharu, the head of the Kachipo community, said they are demanding an exit from GPAA so as to live in peace.

“As Suri/Kachipo, we do not want to be part of the GPAA. The reason is that we do not want child abductions, killing innocent people, and land grabbing,” he said.

Barchamo, a former Pibor town deputy mayor, said they worry that inter-communal violence will intensify if they continue being part of GPAA.

“Over the past few weeks, we have been holding consultations and decided that we should join the Anyuaks and have a separate administrative area. I resigned from the government because we were just wasting time while our people are being killed,” he said.

A Kachipo youth representative, Philip Loteuk Nanyia, reiterated the demand for a separate administrative area.

This is our position; we want a separate area for the Jie, Kachipo, and Anyuak. If the government refuses, that means we are not considered citizens. We may even decide to join Ethiopia with our lands, they will not reject us.”

GPAA Chief Administrator Lokali Amae and Jebel Boma County Commissioner Longony Alston could be reached for comment.

 Meanwhile, Adingora Alual, the area’s information minister, said he will not comment because he is outside the GPAA.

Earlier, the Anyuak community in Pochalla also announced a similar move.     

GPAA was created in 2014 and comprises Pochalla and Pibor counties which were formerly part of Jonglei state. The inhabitants include the Murle, the Anyuak, Jie, and the Suri/ Kachipo communities.