By Peter Kuol Kuch
The Commissioner of Bor County in Jonglei State has issued a statement pardoning the Red Belt group during the New Year festival in Bor on Thursday.
Red Belt group claimed to be an organized group within Bor with an aim to protect their properties and cattle from external invaders.
Through their behaviors, the Red Belt group has been levelled as rebel group and the SSPDF security have ordered to search thoroughly in Bor.
Many innocent lives have been loss during different operation between security and a Red Belt in the recent months.
Addressing the Church audience in Bor, Ateny Pech stated that Red Belt group have in occasions proven themselves to be Rebel group but now have been pardoned.
“As we started the New Year, the leader of Red Belt group Leek Mameer has been pardoned with his team. Nobody will run after them anymore- they are free to move, if they want to come to town they can” he said.
Hon. Ateny emphasized that the Redbelt group can be free and are advice to avoid moving in group to avoid further miss understandings.
“With this regard, I advise him to avoid moving in group; let them dispatch to their villages and perhaps protect their cattle their there.’’ Said Ateny
Mr. Pech stated that New Year 2026 could mark a new dawn for Peace and forgiveness among the people of South Sudan.
“Based on their recent statement, we are convinced that most of their energetic men are finishing but they don’t want to fight the government. They have been appealing to the government in order to be pardon, now we have seen that” he said.
Meanwhile the order of Pardon created mixed reactions from Civil Society activists and critics. Some citied that there is a need to demand an apology to the Red group for having been labeled as rebel faction.
While others welcome and appreciated the step that has been taken by the commissioner with SSPDF to pardon the young men. They said the step would help revive peace among the people of Bor.
Other critics on social Media platforms argued that the Commissioner should be sued at the Court for defamation.
In recent months, the Commissioner of Bor County has quoted by the Red Belt group to be behind their betrayal following their declaration as rebels by the SSPDF CDF. Gen. Paul Nang.