By Alan Clement
Communities from Isohe and Losite Payams in Ikwoto County have formally opposed their inclusion in a proposed Kidepo Valley Administrative Area.
Representatives from the communities in Isohe and Losite payams met with Eastern Equatoria State Governor, louis Lobong Lojore at the State Secretariat Hall on Saturday August 9th, 2025 to raise their objections.
The delegation presented concerns over a petition dated July 28, 2025, reportedly submitted by the Chairperson of Kidepo Valley and now widely circulating in the media.
“We have never been part of Kidepo Valley, even under the defunct county structure,” declared representatives from Isohe and Losite, emphasizing their historical and administrative separation from the proposed area and insisting they have never been part of Kidepo Valley, even under the defunct county structure.
During their presentation, the communities emphasized that the original Kidepo Valley County comprised Chahari, Chorocol, and Bira Payams arguig that any administrative restructuring should preserve these historical boundaries and exclude Isohe and Losite.
They also alleged that signatures supporting the petition were collected without proper consultation or consent from residents of Isohe and Losite.
The communities’ representatives also demanded that their payams remain within Ikwoto County and requested an official map of the proposed administrative area. They warned that any attempt to annex their territories would violate the legal establishment of the county and vowed to hold responsible parties accountable.
Governor Lobong acknowledged their concerns, noting that representatives from Kidepo Valley had previously approached his office to push for re-establishment of the administrative area.
“If the process risks triggering conflict, it could be halted entirely,” warned Governor Louis Lobong, acknowledging the informal nature of the petition and pledging to convene a joint meeting to address the concerns.
He stressed that proper procedure requires clearance from the county commissioner, approval by the Ministry of Local Government, endorsement by the state Council of Ministers, security vetting, state parliamentary approval, and final acceptance in Juba.
He confirmed Isohe and Losite were included in the petition and promised to convene a joint meeting between the two sides. Lobong warned that if the process risked triggering conflict, it could be halted entirely.
The governor praised the Isohe and Losite communities for raising the matter peacefully and urged them to maintain stability while the issue is addressed.