By Lodu William Odiya
Governor of Jonglei state, Dr. Riek Gai Kok has reported significant improvement on the security situation in the state.
According to a statement issued by the presidential press unit yesterday, Governor Kok noted significant improvement in the region’s security situation highlighted by the absence of incidents such as cattle raiding, child abduction and long-standing issues that had historically affected the state.
The statement stated that President Kiir directed the Governor Kok to ensure a sustained maintenance of the current peace and unity in the state.
It further highlighted that while commending the positive developments, the President further instructed him to continue collaborating closely with local leaders to preserve the security and promote unity among all communities within the Greater Jonglei region.
However, during his swearing-in ceremony at State House, President Salva Kiir also directed the Governor to ensure peace and stability in the volatile area.
Following the eruption of conflict in South Sudan in 2013, Jonglei State has witnessed myriad challenges.
These include disastrous flooding in the past four years, and a series of intra- and inter-communal and political conflicts.
While armed conflict between government forces and opposition groups has subsided in Jonglei State since 2020, following the formation of the national unity government at state and national levels, relationships among communities remain fractious due to cattle raiding, child abduction, and competition over natural resources such as grazing pastures and fishing areas. This has resulted in the loss of lives among communities in the state.