By Deng Ghai Deng
Authorities in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area are sounding an alarm over potential attacks from armed youth in neighboring Jonglei state.
Jacob Werchum Juok, the minister of information for Greater Pibor Administrative Area, expressed concern following unconfirmed reports circulating online suggesting that youth in the Lou Nuer areas are planning to launch attacks on Murle communities in Pibor.
“We have received disturbing and unverified information indicating that armed youth from Lou Nuer in Jonglei are preparing to launch attacks on our areas. While we cannot confirm the authenticity of these reports, we urge the Jonglei government to investigate this and stop it,” said Juok.
For her part, Nyamar Lony Thichot Ngundeng, the minister of information for Jonglei state, rejected the claims, stating that the Jonglei government was not aware of any mobilization of armed youth aimed at attacking Greater Pibor.
“We have not received any information from our security agencies or local authorities regarding the mobilization of youth to attack Greater Pibor. We urge the public not to believe in unverified rumors circulating on social media,” Ngundeng emphasized.
Ngundeng also stressed that Jonglei state remains committed to peace.
“We call on all communities to maintain calm and refrain from taking matters into their own hands. We must ensure that peace prevails, and rumors do not provoke further unrest.”
Despite numerous goodwill agreements aimed at ending feuds, cattle raids and child abductions continue to be common occurrences in both Jonglei and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area. The authorities are calling for continued dialogue and cooperation to address these persistent issues.