Upper Nile State Governor James Odhok Oyai says he found that relations between the army and citizens in restive Nasir County are in “deadlock,” and he hopes that dialogue can restore peace and stability in the area.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Friday after visiting the troubled parts of the state, Governor Oyei said the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) expressed concern over their 8 years in the area of Nasir without replacement and that their cooperation with the locals had reached a deadlock. If they stay for another two to three months in the area, the conflict might escalate again, Oyai warned.
Below are edited excerpts:
Q. Governor Oyai, what was the objective of your recent visits to eastern Ulang and Nasir counties?
A. This visit had been planned earlier. The easiest way to travel from Malakal was to use the UN helicopter, but they provided for only about two hours, which were not sufficient to visit all our people. I rejected that offer.
In 2023, I used a UN plane to go to Nasir for a church event and they would determine who should go with me. We appreciate the support of the UN but I would like to visit our people and listen to them for a longer time.
I decided to use the boat even though many people were skeptical, citing the insecurity in eastern Nuer. I told them that since there were people there, I had to go and see them. One of the reasons for this trip was the recent clashes between the White Army and our SSPDF in Wiyak. As a responsible official, it would have been bad not to go there. I would do whatever I am capable of to help them, and if beyond my means, I would refer to our seniors at the national level.
I started my visit with Baliet, Chuil; which is under the Jonglei State. We had a big reception there. They expressed concern over child abductions, which they regard as a big threat. They appealed for immediate dialogue with top officials from the Pibor Administrative Area over the matter. I gave them my word that I will engage the officials there to address the issue.
Q. How is the security situation in the areas you visited?
A. The communities there need more civic education on peace. I spent a night at Doma in Ulang and I had a big reception there, met with people, and urged them to stop revenge killings. People should seek their rights through the law. Revenge killing is so rampant in Ulang County due to the possession of arms by the civilians. Some civilians are even more armed than the government forces. I told them that the firearms should be used to defend the cattle and the country, but not to kill one another.
We visited all the Ulang County payams and lastly went to Ulang town. We met with all the officials there, including the local chiefs, who expressed similar concerns about the spread of the firearm in the hands of the civilians. One of their appeals was that they needed the united police force to boost security in the area. They also expressed concern over the delay of the salaries. They lack some items for schools and also demanded the establishment of health centers in some payams. However, in Ulang, there is a hospital operated by the MSF.
Q. You also visited Nasir County, which is also witnessing many insecurity issues. What can you tell us about that?
A. I had a communication with the commander of the SSPDF in Nasir, Gen Majur, the local chiefs, the youth, women and the intellectuals. Some children also welcomed us, waving some banners written: “We need unified forces”. The chiefs expressed concern over the presence of the SSPDF, with some threatening to cross the border to Ethiopia or face them militarily and take over the area. Due to the ongoing conflicts, there is no school and no hospital is working.
I visited Karanga Payam and they demanded the unified forces. I went to Mandeng and on the third day, we visited Wiyak and the forces there received us under the command of Gen Majur.
I am a neutral person and what I have observed is that there are mistakes from both the White Army and the regular forces. The government forces were trapped in their barracks; they were unable to move out to fetch firewood or water. I asked if there were women who wanted to go to the town, to accompany me.
I also spoke with commanders of the White Army, and said we were at peace, and needed to stand together and implement this peace. It is through peace that services such as education and health will be made available in Nasir. There are some conflicts in Ulang, but not within the town and aid, organizations there were working.
Q. Are we about to witness the end to the communal clashes in Nasir?
A. I talked to them and I promised to raise these concerns with the top country officials; President Kiir, his first deputy and all other signatories to the peace agreement. The army also expressed concern over their 8 years in the area without replacement, and that their cooperation with the locals had reached a deadlock. If they stay for another two to three months, the conflict might escalate again.
Q. Are you optimistic that the security situation might improve after your visit?
A. Since our visit, the situation has changed. Women in Wiyar can now access the market and for those who used to supply the army with food but had been detained by The White Army, the commander had given instructions that they be released. I am hopeful that the Army can now get food.
Q. Upon your return to Malakal, you briefed the security organs and the legislative assembly and there were some pledges concerning the provision of services. When do we expect that to be implemented?
A. Regarding Nasir County, there is a good school there but compared to the population, the area might need more schools. The other challenge is that teachers were unable to stay there because of the insecurity. We would start with the provision of security so that teachers can stay.
There is school in Karang and in Mandeng, but the enrolment is low. In Ulang town there is a school but they need some items. In Kuc, we found a huge population that organized a big reception ceremony. The pupils said they needed their school to be maintained, roofed and well-constructed. They said the current situation might force them to move away, pointing out that last year, the rains destroyed the roof and killed many pupils. I was moved and I am working towards providing the roof to the school.
Q. There are unconfirmed reports that the Ulang Commissioner had been chased away and you decided to take him along with you to Malakal. Can you confirm that?
A. That is not true. When we arrived at Ulang, we had a big reception and that was the work of the commissioner and his team. There are some individuals in Juba and somebody called Kuong who were supporters of the Ulang Paramount Chief. Disagreement occurred between the commissioner and a minister here who hails from Ulang over the appointment, but at the end of the day, the commissioner prevailed.
During our meeting with the local chiefs, they all agreed to stand with the commissioner because he is a man of peace. During my meeting with over 100 intellectuals, I asked them to support the current commissioner. Only Kuong stood against the commissioner.
About 10 leaders from Nyaborjiok (youth) expressed concern over the commissioner. They demanded that the commissioner should be removed.
I told them that a government could not be threatened. The commissioner is an old man and I will take him along with me to Nasir to help in resolving the issues. So, this is what happened; he really helped in giving some ideas. I convinced the youths and now the commissioner is still in Ulang, he did not travel with me to Malakal. Thank you.