MPs accuse Pibor youths of planning to attack Jonglei

Lawmakers from Jonglei State have claimed that Murle youths from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area are mobilizing to launch revenge attacks, a claim denied by Pibor officials.

Lawmakers from Jonglei State have claimed that Murle youths from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area are mobilizing to launch revenge attacks, a claim denied by Pibor officials.

Efforts are currently underway to resolve inter-communal clashes involving the Dinka, Nuer and Murle in the greater Jonglei region.

In June, President Salva Kiir formed a committee to address the root causes of intercommunal violence in Jonglei State and Pibor Administrative Area.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Friday, Michael Ruot Koryom, a lawmaker representing Nyirol County in the national assembly, said hopes to restore peace could be dashed amid reports that Murle youths are mobilizing to launch revenge attacks in Jonglei State.

“Murle youths have been mobilizing in Pibor, Vertet and Likuangole areas with intentions to attack areas in Jonglei State. The mobilization has been ongoing for three days now,” said Koryom.

He added, “From our side, we convinced Jonglei youths to stop fighting. But we may not manage to control them if our civilians are attacked.”

The MP said they are working with the investigation committee to recover Murle women and children abducted during the recent fighting.

“We appeal to Murle politicians to control their youths,” he added.

Philip Thon Leek, a lawmaker representing Duk County in the national legislative assembly, said the investigation committee has been notified about alleged plans by the Murle youths to attack Jonglei.

For his part, Peter Lebelek, the Secretary-General of Pibor Administrative Areas, dismissed as “baseless” allegations that Murle youths are planning to carry out attacks on areas in Jonglei State.

“No plans to attack Jonglei.  Nuer and Dinka youths just withdrew last week after months in our territories. Our youths are still searching for their loved ones. Again, we are part of the ongoing peace initiative,” he explained.

Daniel Abucha Ali, the investigation committee’s spokesperson, said: “We have not received an official complaint but we have heard of the rumours about the alleged mobilization in Pibor.”

Abucha called on the rival communities in the Greater Jonglei region to embrace peace and unity for the sake of stability in South Sudan.

“I talked to officials in Pibor about the alleged reports but they denied any mobilization of youths in Pibor to attack areas in Jonglei,” he explained.