By Hou Akot Hou
Governments of Warrap and Western Bahr El Ghazal states have resolved to deploy security forces in their contested border areas at Thar-kueng and Marial-baai.
Forces deployment is meant to deter further inter-communal attacks between the two antagonistic neighboring communities living along the highly contested border area of Warrap and WBGs.
Recent clashes that stemmed from the border confrontation led to the deaths of dozens of people over the weekend as a result of the land dispute.
The information minister for Warrap State, Mr. William Wol Mayom, told the media on Tuesday that they have held a closed-door meeting with authorities in Western Bahr El Gazal State.
Wol revealed that they have resolved at the meeting to deploy forces along Thar-Kueng of Warrap and Marial-baai of Western Bahr El Ghazal State, where youth are accused of ambushing the cars in which an aid worker serving with the World Vision was killed last Sunday.
Mr. Mayom said that the security forces will ease the free movement of goods and people.
He added that the two state governments agreed to set up a joint security force to deter further furious attacks.
“The deployment of forces will commence immediately because Division 11 is at Majak-tiit and its forces have come to the ground, and also Division 5 at Majak through General Dau Aturjoing will join immediately,” Minister Wol stated.
He said the security meeting has agreed to comply with the resolutions so that the situation is resolved.
The Division 11 and Division 5 battalion forces will help guarantee travelers’ safety during cross-border movements, while joint security will be the task to look into the matter and resolve it.
Wol advised the local communities not to take the law into their hands, saying the authorities are working hard to ensure that dialogues over land disputes are initiated to peacefully resolve the issue.