By Alan Clement
The Governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, Simon Ober Mawut, and a delegation of church leaders have pledged stronger collaboration to foster peace, unity, and development in the state.
The Most Reverend Abraham Yel Nhial, Archbishop of the Northern Bahr el Ghazal Internal Province, led a delegation on Monday, September 1st, 2025, that met Governor Simon Ober Mawut at the state general secretariat, commending his leadership and pledging the Church’s continued support for peace, development, and social progress across the state.
“We stand ready to work hand in hand with the government to build peace and uplift communities,” said Archbishop Nhial, who currently serves in the Episcopal Diocese of Wau pending the appointment of a permanent Archbishop for Northern Bahr el Ghazal in a statement from the governor’s office.
Governor Mawut welcomed the gesture of solidarity shown by the faith community and stressed the importance of joint efforts in addressing societal challenges and emphasized the critical role of religious institutions in community mobilization, education, and reconciliation efforts. “The government values the partnership of religious institutions, and we are ready to work together to uplift our communities,” the governor stated according to a statement from his office.
“Faith-based organizations are key partners in our development agenda whose solidarity is duly appreciated. We will continue to engage them in shaping solutions that reflect our people’s needs,” the Governor continued.
The meeting was also attended by Gabriel Deng Yel, State Minister of Information and Communication who echoed the importance of inter-institutional cooperation.
Following the talks, Governor Mawut visited the construction site of St Mary Girls’ High School in Raing-Makuei, Aweil town; a church-funded initiative aimed at expanding access to education for girls. While touring the facility, he praised the Church’s investment in education and pledged the state government’s support to ensure the school’s successful completion.
The visit underscored a growing synergy between state authorities and religious leaders, with both sides committed to advancing social development and strengthening community resilience.