Local authorities in Bor County, Jonglei State, have agreed to open dialogue with members of the Red Belt vigilante group in an effort to peacefully end a standoff that has heightened insecurity in the region South Sudan News.
The resolution was announced by Bor County Commissioner Ateny Pech following a high-level meeting involving members of parliament, traditional leaders, youth representatives, civil administrators and senior officers from the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) Division Eight.
According to the commissioner, the Bor community has unanimously condemned the activities of the Red Belt group and resolved to engage directly with the families of its members to persuade them to either integrate into the national army under Division Eight or leave Bor County altogether.
“The condemnation is firm and unanimous,” Ateny said, adding that the community would prioritise dialogue to avoid further bloodshed while asserting the authority of the state.
Local leaders have also agreed to meet with Red Belt chairperson Leek Mamer in an attempt to convince him to surrender and dismantle the group’s independent operations. Ateny warned that if negotiations fail, government forces would move to apprehend the group’s leadership.
The Red Belt is a community-based defence group drawn largely from the Dinka Bor community. It gained prominence earlier this year after being accused of carrying out a series of attacks, including an incident involving government troops in September. The national army has since classified the group as a rebel movement.
However, Red Belt leader Leek Mamer has rejected the designation, insisting the group was formed to protect local communities amid persistent insecurity and what he describes as inadequate state protection.
Tensions escalated last week when two people, including the deputy commander of the Red Belt and a national security officer, were killed during a security operation at a hotel in Bor town. The incident sparked hours of unrest and sporadic gunfire, causing panic among residents.
Human rights activist Ter Manyang Gatwech welcomed the decision by local authorities to pursue dialogue, describing it as a constructive step toward de-escalation.
“Dialogue is the best way to resolve conflict in modern society,” Gatwech said. “Opening talks helps understand the concerns raised by the Red Belt movement and can prevent further loss of life.”
Observers say the outcome of the talks could set a precedent for handling similar community-based armed groups across South Sudan, where fragile security conditions and limited state presence have fuelled the rise of local militias.
