Five-day dialogue brings government officials, traditional leaders, youth, women, and local authorities together in a renewed effort to restore peace and resolve the long-standing Buothagangy fishing conflict.
JUBA — Jonglei State Governor Dr. Riek Gai Kok has launched a high-level five-day peace mission to Ayual in Twic East County and Hol in Duk County in an effort to end the prolonged dispute between the two communities over the Buothagangy fishing area.
The conflict, which began in 2023, has remained unresolved despite repeated calls from civil society organizations for mediation and peaceful dialogue. The state government now hopes that direct engagement with the affected communities will build trust and create the foundation for a lasting peace agreement.
The delegation, which arrived on Wednesday, includes senior state officials who are expected to meet with traditional leaders, youth representatives, women’s groups, local authorities, lawmakers, and community members throughout the mission.
Speaking to reporters, Jonglei State Information Minister Nyamar Ngudeng reaffirmed the government’s commitment to restoring peace across the state.
“The government of Jonglei State remains committed to promoting peace and unity among all communities. By engaging the affected communities directly in their areas, we believe we can foster trust and achieve sustainable solutions to the conflict,” she said.
Ngudeng added that the initiative is part of a broader campaign to address communal violence across Jonglei. She noted that another government delegation, led by the Minister of Cabinet Affairs, is simultaneously engaging communities in northern Jonglei to strengthen social cohesion and resolve local conflicts.
The peace mission has been welcomed by civil society leaders. Bol Deng Bol, Chairperson of the Jonglei Civil Society Network, described the visit as a positive demonstration of the government’s willingness to listen to affected communities and pursue reconciliation.
He urged the state government to establish a permanent mediation mechanism that would sustain dialogue, monitor implementation of any peace agreements, and prevent future disputes. Bol also called for continued deployment of security forces in vulnerable areas to deter violence while encouraging both communities to embrace dialogue as the best path toward lasting peace.
The delegation accompanying Governor Riek Gai Kok includes the Speaker of the Jonglei State Transitional Legislative Assembly, the Governor’s Legal Affairs Adviser, members of the state cabinet, lawmakers, and commissioners from Bor, Uror, and Ayod counties.
The peace mission is expected to conclude after several rounds of community consultations aimed at rebuilding trust, strengthening relations between the neighboring communities, and securing a sustainable resolution to the Buothagangy fishing dispute.
— JUBA WATCHDOG
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