Former insurgent leader David Yau Yau has appealed to the government to establish a separate state for Pibor County in Jonglei state.

Mr Yau Yau told state-run SSTV he believes the Kachipo, Anyuak, Jie and Murle communities deserve a state of their own because of the vastness of the county.

He says it is difficult for Pibor to be managed administratively from Bor town because the state consists of 11 large counties.

He was speaking after meeting presidential envoy Akot Lual from Lokwangule.

“These four communities have been facing a lot of tough situations under the responsibility of Jonglei State and we picture it that it will be peaceful when we have our own administration apart from the administration of Jonglei,” said Mr Yau Yau.

“It’ll also help His Excellency to move smoothly in his leadership.”

David Yau Yau said his motivation when he took up arms against the government was to make sure services reached people in the area.

He went on to call upon the government and aid agencies to provide humanitarian assistance to people in Pibor County:

“The civil population of these four communities is affected by fighting Jonglei. So, we need some involvements in medical part, food provisions…our roads to open, the road from Pibor to Juba to open, the road to Buma also to open so that business transaction will flow freely.”

The SPLA announced a ceasefire with rebel forces loyal to David Yau Yau in Jonglei state last week and directed its command to avoid any further military actions against his rebel forces.