By Louis Loku
Central Equatoria State Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony visited internally displaced persons (IDPs) sheltering at Sokare in Liwolo Payam, Kajo-Keji County.
The governor and the delegation delivered emergency food assistance to IDPs and assured them of continued government support amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
The governor, accompanied by a state delegation, donated assorted food items, including beans, flour, and other essential supplies, to families displaced by the recent border standoff that forced hundreds to flee their homes.
Speaking to the displaced residents, Governor Adil acknowledged the difficult conditions they are facing and urged them to remain resilient, assuring them that his administration is working tirelessly to mobilise additional humanitarian assistance.
“Our government is working around the clock with partners to ensure that more humanitarian support reaches the displaced population,” he said.
Governor Adil also said the state government is working closely with the national government to find a peaceful and lasting solution to the persistent territorial encroachment along the South Sudan-Uganda border.
During the visit, he briefed the displaced families on the resolutions reached during the recently concluded Joint Border Meeting, urging them to respect the agreements and embrace peaceful coexistence. At the same time, efforts continue to restore stability in the affected areas.
The governor further assured the displaced that the State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with humanitarian partners, would continue assisting vulnerable families.
He encouraged the affected communities to defend their ancestral land through legal means in accordance with South Sudan’s laws, emphasising that peaceful engagement remains the best path to resolving border disputes.
The internally displaced persons welcomed the governor’s visit, describing it as timely and encouraging. They appealed to both governments to de-escalate tensions and restore security so they can safely return to their homes and resume their livelihoods.
St. Paul Cathedral in Sokare, which is hosting the largest number of displaced families, remains one of the main shelters for people affected by the border tensions.
The visit forms part of the state government’s ongoing efforts to respond to the humanitarian needs of communities displaced by the border dispute while pursuing dialogue and cooperation to restore lasting peace and stability in the area.