UNITY - County commissioners from Unity state have called for an urgent and inclusive dialogue with their counterparts in the Ruweng Administrative Area to address ongoing border disputes, describing the issue as a priority for peace, security and stability.
The call was made during a commissioners’ forum, where participants discussed key challenges facing the state, including insecurity, intercommunal tensions and development priorities. The forum underscored the need for collective leadership and dialogue to prevent further escalation of border-related tensions.
Facilitating the discussions, Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization highlighted that state- and national-level buy-in to initiate dialogue between the two sides is vital.
“The participants have said that border disputes between Unity and Ruweng should be taken seriously and they urge the country’s leaders to start a dialogue to address the matter,” Mr Yakani said.
He added that the forum also emphasized the importance of protecting civilians, including returnees and refugees, at a time of heightened vulnerability. Calling for practical steps to ease tensions, Mr. Yakani urged border commissioners to work closely with community leaders to reduce friction.
“The border commissioners should be given full responsibility to reduce growing tensions between the communities at the border. Additionally, youth, women, chiefs and elders, and religious leaders must be given the responsibility to prevent conflict from breaking out into violence. Everyone has a part to play,” he said.
For his part Unity State Governor, Justice Riek Bim Top, encouraged county commissioners to uphold and promote the rule of law as a foundation for peace and justice.
“The rule of law underpins the ideas of peace and security. It means that things must be done in accordance with the law. We must promote the rule of law to build peace in our community. We cannot achieve peace and justice without it,” he stated.
The Governor also encouraged commissioners to take a leading role in peacebuilding initiatives, including dialogue and reconciliation at the community level.
“I urge county commissioners to prioritize community dialogue, conflict prevention mechanisms, and engage with traditional leaders, women and youth representatives and spiritual or religious leaders to promote reconciliation,” Governor Top added.
Speaking at the forum, Acting Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan’s (UNMISS) Field Office in Bentiu, Stella Abayomi, said the gathering provided an important platform for commissioners to openly discuss challenges facing county administrations, particularly security concerns.
“The forum aims to strengthen the local government structure for effective service delivery, and, of course, community reconciliation is a top priority to maintain security,” she said.
Furthermore, Ms. Abayomi emphasized the central role of county leaders in maintaining stability, fostering economic development, addressing humanitarian needs and supporting vulnerable populations, including through effective flood mitigation strategies.
The two-day discussion was organized by UNMISS in collaboration with the Unity State Government. It focused on strengthening the role of county commissioners in conflict mitigation, peacebuilding and local governance across the state.
By Jacob Ruai
