By Lodu William Odiya
Vice President and Chairperson of the Economic Cluster, Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel, and the recently appointed Upper Nile State Governor, Jacob Dollar Ruot, have pledged a joint commitment to restore lasting peace and stability in Upper Nile State.
The commitment follows a meeting between the two officials yesterday, according to a statement issued by the Vice President’s office. The Vice President’s office stressed that the government recognizes peace as the foundation for recovery.
“Peace is the bedrock of progress—for without peace, there can be no infrastructure, essential services, or sustainable economic growth,” the statement read.
It underscored that the Government of South Sudan is taking concrete steps to restore lasting stability, particularly in Nasir and Ulang Counties, where citizens “deserve to live and work without fear or disruption.” Furthermore, the statement emphasized that the government under President Salva Kiir Mayardit would continue to champion peace and national transformation, encouraging the people of Upper Nile to embrace the dividends of a secure and united nation.
However, the high-level pledge stands in stark contrast to the escalating crisis on the ground. Nasir County is currently experiencing an alarming surge of political violence, threatening to plunge the region into deeper instability.
Clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and local armed youth, commonly known as the White Army, have been reported in Nasir since early 2024. Similar tensions and violence have also escalated in Ulang County, specifically in Doma Payam, where the fighting has resulted in an unspecified number of casualties and forced many residents to flee their homes.
The alarming surge of violence in both counties places immense pressure on the newly announced commitment, challenging the government to swiftly demonstrate the concrete steps it has pledged to take.