By Charles K Mark
Youth from Bor, Duk, and Twic East Counties of Jonglei State have called for the government’s intervention in the dire situation facing the devastated Duk County.
Through a caucus, the youth deliberated on Friday last week on the security situation in the mentioned counties.
They said in a statement seen by No. 1 Citizen Daily Newspaper that they met with UNMISS and representatives of the Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs on January 6, 2024, and January 8, 2024, respectively.
“The meeting we discussed the recent heinous attacks in Poktap and Kadiang (Duk County),” the statement partly read.
The committee alleged the violence was perpetuated by youth from Gumuruk Payam of the Nanam area and its four bomas, Thangyang, Vevenoi, Kelero, and Ngachavachiz.
“Since this aggression was committed by a specific age group known as Kurenen from the above-mentioned Bomas, the Chiefs of Duk County have launched a criminal case, being processed in Jonglei State’s headquarters, against these culprits, and the Caucus resolved to engage the government legal entities to provide all necessary support to this endeavor,” the Committee stated.
UNMISS facilitated MPs’ visits to Kadiang and Poktap on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, to assess the security situation in Duk County, according to the statement.
“The Caucus urges UNIMSS to facilitate joint visits of our Caucus and that of MPs from GPAA to Duk County and Gumuruk County,” the youth suggested.
The Caucus also resolved to reach out to fellow MPs from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) in an effort to bring lasting peace.
When contacted, the information minister of the GPAA, Abraham Kelang, told this outlet via phone yesterday that they would soon communicate their side’s point of view on the matter.
The attack on Poktap Payam in Duk County left over 30 people dead, with eighteen others sustaining serious injuries, and yet a loss of over 7,000 herds of cattle.