By Chol Riak

Residents in Bor town of Jonglei State are calling on the ongoing Governors’ Forum to address the continued sub-national conflict in the area.

Speaking to The City Review on Tuesday, Deng John Jurkuch, a resident of Chuei-atembeny said he expects the forum to resolve the prolonged insecurity in Jonglei State.  

“As a citizen of Jonglei State, I expect the insecurity between the Greater Pibor and Jonglei State to be dealt with, even though the two governments have tried several times to negotiate the peace between the two communities but failed,” John said.

He further added that although the implementation process of the forum resolutions, it seems to be a challenge and the national government should give a hand to support state governors.

“I hope they will now look or come up with a better solution since whatever they’ had planned last time failed.”

“The Governor of Jonglei State should tackle the issue of gangs in the state capital since this is among the leading causes of insecurity in the state capital. Most governors came in and they tried but could not manage to do away with the gangs within Bor.”

Anyieth Mary, a resident of Block 2 in Bor town said the market prices are not favouring the ordinary citizens in the country, urging governors to discuss the issues of economic crises.    

Anyieth emphasized that the market prices differ from shop to shop which needs government’s attention to regulate.

“Governments of different states should reduce the checkpoints that overcharge the wholesalers who import goods into the country,” she said.

Cases of cattle rustling and child abductions have been common in the region, causing tension between communities.

Last month, authorities in Jonglei State raised an alarm over the rising cases of cattle rustling, especially in Uror County, caused by armed criminals suspected to be from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA).

The incidences, which have worsened in recent months, have led to deaths, abductions, and injuries.

On June 4, a 35-year-old man was shot in Partet. This would be followed by a banditry incident, on September 17, when 24 cattle were stolen from Partet Village, though they were later recovered. Days later, on September 24, an ambush between Pajut and Poktap would claim the lives of three men. A 21-year-old woman was also abducted.

While speaking at a parliamentary sitting in October last year, Angelina Teny, the  Minister of Interior, called for the disarmament of civilians in Jonglei State and Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) to curb insecurity in the regions.