By Deng Ghai Deng
The governors of the neighboring Jonglei and Upper Nile States have promised to bring to an end the pressing security concerns that have been hindering the transport of goods, services, and people between the two areas along the Nile River.
The joint meeting was held in Jonglei’s capital Bor and co-chaired by Mahjoub Biel Turuk, Governor of Jonglei State, and James Odhok Oyay, Governor of Upper Nile State, on Sunday.
Matiop Lueth Atem, the Jonglei state minister of cabinet affairs, said the primary focus of the meeting was the growing problem of illegal checkpoints along the Nile River, which have been identified as worsening security challenges in the region.
“Both governors expressed deep concern over these checkpoints, recognizing the necessity of security measures while condemning actions that impede the free movement of people and goods,” Atem stated.
In a statement published by the Upper Nile state governor’s press unit, David Nyang, Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Upper Nile State, said among the key outcomes of the meeting was to dismantle illegal checkpoints along the Nile, which have obstructed the flow of humanitarian aid and essential goods into Upper Nile State.
“We acknowledge that these checkpoints unjustly restrict the movement of people and goods, which is detrimental to the socio-economic fabric of our communities,” Nyang stated.
Nyang said the two governors, Oyay and Turuk, announced plans to host a comprehensive “Nile Conference,” bringing together representatives from states situated along the Nile basin, including Jonglei, Lakes, Upper Nile, Unity, and Central Equatoria.
Nyang said the illegal checkpoints do not only harm the livelihoods of riverine communities but also undermine cooperation and dialogue between the states, adding that the governors underscored that such actions could potentially violate human rights and emphasized the need for a coordinated approach to address these issues.