The Government of Unity State has formed a committee to address the ongoing insecurity between the state and the neighboring Ruweng Administrative Area (RAA).
Unity State Information Minister Gatwich Biphal revealed the committee was formed last week during a cabinet that also endorsed state development projects.
“The formation of the peace committee is to supervise the ongoing peace efforts between locals of Unity State and Ruweng Administrative Area and to oversee the endorsement of developmental projects in the state,” he said.
The committee will be chaired by Malith Kak, advisor for peace and security in the Unity State Government.
Its members include James Madut Ruei, Minister of Peace, Geng Kuony, Minister of Youth, Culture and Sports, Rose Nyeboth Toch, Minister of Gender and Social Welfare, a representative from the trade union, a representative from civil society and the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Bentiu, Christian Carlassare.
According to Minister Biphal, the committee will liaise with a similar committee expected to be formed by the authorities in the Ruweng Administrative Area.
“This formation of the committee is one of the resolutions adopted from the recent visit of the chief administrator of Ruweng Administrative Area, among other resolutions observed by the two administrations,” he said.
The initiative aims to implement resolutions previously agreed upon by both administrations to foster peace and stability in the region.
Meanwhile, Kai Wal, a resident of Unity State’s Rubkona County, said the committees from both jurisdictions will promote peace among the communities.
“Peace is better than the war because since Ruweng became an administrative area, there has been insecurity along its common border with Unity State,” he stated. “If the two leaders agreed to bring peace, this is good because nobody can be against peace.”