By William Madouk
Governor of Eastern Equatoria state, Louis Lobong Lojore, has threatened to sue the government of Greater Pibor Administrative Area over the chief administrator Gola Boyoi’s remark alleging that the Kapoeta-Boma road was closed by the Lobong administration.
In his presentation during the second day of the Governors forum, Gola Boyoi claimed that the Eastern Equatoria authorities had halted the movement of vehicles along the road connecting the two areas.
Mr. Gola cited that no vehicles were allowed by Eastern Equatoria State authorities including humanitarian tracks meant to provide assistance to the community, particularly during a period of acute hunger.
“The Eastern Equatoria State government closed off the Kapoeta to Boma road since April due to communal conflict, affecting the transportation of goods and accessibility for residents of Jebel Boma and Verteth (Maruwo) counties,” he said.
In response, Governor Lobong strongly denied the accusations, stating that the closure was not a unilateral decision made by the Eastern Equatoria State government, threatening legal action against the accusations if the forum does not address and correct the report by his counterpart, Gola.
He said the road is a critical lifeline for many South Sudanese and that any disruption to its accessibility would have far-reaching consequences.
Your H.E. People may think it is only the government of Eastern Equatoria being accused. The government is one with different levels and I don’t think if we write that the government and one of its levels closed the road which is a lifeline to the people of South Sudan,” he said.
Governor Lobong stated that people might think his administration solely decided to close the road in question.
“I want to report that if this thing is not discussed and withdrawn, the government of Eastern Equatoria will have no other option but will take legal action against the administrative government of Greater Pibor,” Governor Lobong said.
“If it is not corrected, we will take legal action because such a report has been discussed, and presented to the Council of Ministers, which means it has been approved by the whole government of Greater Pibor,” he stated.
The Boma-Kapoeta road – a key supply route into eastern Pibor – was closed in April following a large-scale raid by armed youth from allegedly Pibor.
Local authorities and humanitarian partners have earlier warned of an extremely severe situation, especially following a poor harvest in eastern Pibor.