Vice President Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel greets Upper Nile State Governor Hon. Jacob Dollar Ruot during their meeting on Thursday, October 16, 2025. (Photo courtesy of the VP Office)
Juba, South Sudan (Eye Radio) — The newly appointed Governor of Upper Nile State, Jacob Dollar, has announced that he is temporarily relocating his office from Malakal town to Nasir County.
Governor Dollar announced he is temporarily relocating his headquarters from Malakal to Nasir County to confront escalating insecurity head-on and directly engage with local youth.
Following key meetings in Juba with Vice Presidents Dr Benjamin Bol Mel (Economic) and Taban Deng Gai (Infrastructure), Governor Dollar declared security his top priority.
The Governor’s unusual move is aimed at working closely with communities in areas like Nasir and Ulang counties, which suffer from frequent intercommunal violence and clashes, including those involving the “White Army.”
Dollar believes lasting peace means tackling the root problems, such as hunger and lack of opportunities, that push young people toward violence.
“I will be relocating the office to Nasir temporarily, so that I will be able to engage with the youth… I urge the White Army to accept peace because this time is for peace. I will be ready to cooperate to work with them and address the challenges they are facing,” Governor Dollar made a direct appeal on state-run SSBC TV.
He also called on the national government for urgent support in peacebuilding and development efforts across Upper Nile State.
Governor Dollar noted that sustainable peace requires addressing the root causes driving youth involvement in violence, pointing specifically to hunger and lack of opportunities.
“I urge the White Army to accept peace because this time is for peace. I also assured them that as the governor of Upper Nile, I will be ready to cooperate to work with them and address the challenges that they are facing.”
