Author: James Atem Kuir | Published: 3 hours ago
From left: Governor Riek Gai Kok of Jonglei State, Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony of Central Equatoria State, and Gola Boyoi Gola, Chief Administrator of Greater Pibor Administrative Area, during the signing of the joint communiqué in Juba. Photo credit: Office of the Governor – Central Equatoria State.
The Governors of Central Equatoria and Jonglei states, together with the Chief Administrator of the Greater Pibor Administrative Area, have agreed on a joint security initiative aimed at addressing insecurity and promoting peaceful co-existence among their regions.
The commitment was reached during a meeting held yesterday in Juba, where the leaders discussed challenges affecting their communities, including continued road ambushes, cattle raiding, child abduction, and attacks on cattle traders along key routes.
The three leaders agreed on thirteen resolutions, including the inclusion of the Government of Eastern Equatoria State in the joint effort to broaden cooperation and ensure stability across the four administrative areas.
They also agreed to strengthen joint security mechanisms, enhance coordination between their governments, and improve community engagement.
Governor Emmanuel Adil of Central Equatoria said the joint resolutions aimed to address persistent insecurity along the Juba-Bor Highway, cattle raiding and child abduction.
“We acknowledge the need for collaboration to address common challenges, including insecurity along the Juba–Bor highway, cattle raiding, and child abduction,” Adil said.
Governor Riek Gai Kok of Jonglei State expressed his administration’s readiness to implement the resolutions, saying they will help build trust between neighbouring communities.
“We will take this initiative to my cabinet in Bor so that it is adopted and owned by our people,” said Governor Riek, vowing his administration’s commitment to full implementation of the joint communique.
Meanwhile, the Chief Administrator of the Greater Pibor Administrative Area, Gola Boyoi Gola, confirmed his administration’s full commitment to the agreement. He encouraged organised forces to play their part in ensuring safety along major roads and in vulnerable communities.
“We are fully committed to ensuring that this communiqué is implemented in letter and spirit.”
The following 13 resolutions were adopted during Friday’s historic tripartite meeting:
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Include Eastern Equatoria State in the initiative to ensure peaceful coexistence across the four administrative units.
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Hold rotational quarterly meetings of the high-level committee in each state and administrative area.
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Strengthen security cooperation through joint mechanisms to prevent incidents and protect citizens and communities.
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Promote dialogue and reconciliation among communities to address underlying conflicts and foster peaceful coexistence.
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Take joint action against cattle raiding and child abductions, ensuring the safe return of abducted children to their families.
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Protect cattle traders in Mogiri through deployment of national security forces and construction of a permanent perimeter fence.
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Empower youth with education, skills training, and economic opportunities to promote peace and stability.
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Promote trade and economic cooperation among the administrative units to strengthen regional growth.
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Conduct nationwide disarmament of civilians to reduce crime and enhance public safety.
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Establish a high-level committee consisting of the Governors of Central Equatoria, Eastern Equatoria, Jonglei, and the Chief Administrator of Pibor.
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Create a crisis management team headed by security advisors, ministers of local government and law enforcement, ministers of peacebuilding, police commissioners, and heads of other security sectors.
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Hold rotational joint conferences in all four administrative units to educate citizens on the importance of peaceful coexistence.
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Rehabilitate roads connecting the four administrative units to ease the movement of people and goods.
The leaders say the resolutions mark a new step toward strengthening cooperation and restoring long-term stability across the region.
