Armed combatants raise their firearms. (Photo: Courtesy)

Jonglei authorities have rejected claims of armed youth mobilizing to attack the Pibor Administrative Area, following comments made by the UN’s Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Nicholas Haysom, in a press briefing on Tuesday.

During the briefing, Haysom highlighted concerns about rising tensions in the region, revealing that there had been appeals to various groups in the Bor area to mobilize, with threats of potential attacks on Pibor.

However, he noted that many youth groups had declined to participate in the mobilization, partly due to ongoing efforts by the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) to engage with community and youth leaders in the area.

“As we understand it, there have been appeals to a wide sector of groupings to mobilize in the Bor area, with a potential of threats of attacks on Pibor,” Haysom stated. “We understand that a number of the youth groups have declined to participate as we speak, and part of that is a result of constant engagement with community leaders and youth leaders in those areas.”

In response to Haysom’s comments, Jonglei State Minister of Information Nyamar Lony Thichot Ngundeng denied any knowledge of such youth mobilization, dismissing the claims as unsubstantiated.

She instead criticized the focus on the alleged mobilization, pointing to ongoing insecurity in Jonglei caused by armed groups from Pibor.

“I don’t know about that mobilization that people keep talking about,” Nyamar said. “It has been said for days that there is mobilization. Why are they not also talking about the attacks that are going on in Jonglei State currently? They have gone ahead to the extent of killing an Executive Chief in Akobo West yesterday. And still, nobody’s talking about it. They have been killing people in the rural counties and raiding cattle, and nobody’s talking about it. But they are only talking about the mobilization. Where is the mobilization? If there is mobilization, how come there are attacks every day?”

The remarks come amid rising tensions between the Greater Pibor Administrative Area and Jonglei, with both sides accusing each other of inciting violence.

Last week, Jonglei authorities reported that at least two people had been killed, five others injured, and hundreds of cattle raided by suspected attackers from the Pibor region.

However, Pibor authorities have denied these allegations, calling them part of a strategy to justify attacks on their area.

Jacob Werchum, the Minister of Information for Greater Pibor, also rejected the allegations of mobilization, stating that such accusations often precede planned attacks on Pibor.

“Normally, when these accusations are being directed at Greater Pibor, they’re used in a plan to launch an attack here,” Werchum said.

“On Wednesday, December 4, we received reports from our Payam administrators at the border point that youth from Lou-Nuer in Akobo, Uror, Ayod, and other areas have left their villages and are now camping at the border point for an attack on Greater Pibor.”

The situation remains fluid, with both Jonglei and Pibor authorities accusing each other of instigating violence.

The international community, including UNMISS, continues to engage with local leaders to prevent further escalation.