Gai made the remarks during the opening of a Stakeholder Engagement Workshop on Humanitarian Access and Protection of Civilians in Bor. He said some aid agencies are engaging with officials appointed by a faction of the SPLM-IO led by Nathaniel Oyet, which he said is outside the constitutional framework.

“In some areas, partners are dealing with individuals who are not appointed under the laws of this country,” Gai said, citing an example in Akobo where, he said, an aid agency engaged with a commissioner appointed by Oyet.

He said such actions amount to recognizing a parallel authority that is not based on the constitution.

Gai referred to the 2018 peace agreement, which he said gave appointing authority for public offices to the President of the Republic. He said the creation of parallel appointments by opposition figures goes against that arrangement.

He said confusion arises when partners engage actors outside the agreed structures.

The governor defended checkpoints, which have been criticized by UN agencies and diplomatic missions, saying they are part of the state’s responsibility to enforce laws and ensure safety. “These are part of sovereign duties,” he said. “I cannot just open up without control.”

He said checkpoints are used to screen for drugs such as tramadol, as well as weapons and other prohibited items. “I must protect my people from harm caused by narcotics and illicit goods,” he said. “How do I confirm what is being transported without checks?”

He said concerns over alcohol and substance use also fall under government responsibility. “Is it not my duty to protect my people from the effects of alcohol?” he asked.

He said when authorities enforce these controls, some partners describe them as restrictions, which he rejected. “This brings conflict between law enforcement and service delivery,” he said. He called for discussions to clarify what humanitarian access means in practice.

Gai criticized what he described as a shift by some partners away from working with government institutions. “It is not a secret that some partners have decided not to deal directly with the government,” he said, adding that working only with communities ignores existing administrative structures. “Communities have representatives. Those structures must be respected,” he said.

He said projects are often designed outside the country and implemented without consultation with beneficiaries or authorities. “You must involve the people in identifying and designing assistance,” he said, comparing the process to a doctor diagnosing a patient before prescribing treatment.

He also said the transfer of core service functions to aid agencies has weakened state institutions, with services being identified by implementing organizations instead of national systems.

The governor warned against what he described as the use of humanitarian assistance in ways that affect the political or security situation.

“Do not weaponize humanitarian aid,” he said. “This is my concern.” He said he is concerned about how aid is delivered in areas outside government control and called for a clear framework guiding engagement.

Gai referred to the mandate of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), which includes monitoring implementation of agreements and protection of civilians.

He said there is tension between enforcing national laws and adhering to humanitarian principles. “We are told to respect the laws of this country, but at the same time we are told we are violating humanitarian principles,” he said.

He said this creates uncertainty for authorities tasked with enforcement.

The governor called for further engagement between the government and partners to address disagreements on access, coordination, and implementation. “We must have a discussion and define what access means,” he said.

He also called for reflection on gaps in governance and cooperation, saying both the government and partners have contributed to the current situation.

“We must look at where we have gone wrong and how to correct it,” he said. The workshop brought together government officials, UN representatives, and humanitarian organizations to discuss humanitarian access and protection of civilians in Jonglei State.

As of mid-2026, the United Nations and diplomatic missions have repeatedly expressed concern over persistent humanitarian access constraints in South Sudan, citing insecurity, bureaucratic delays, and ongoing violence in some regions as major obstacles to aid delivery.

Recent UN humanitarian updates indicate that millions of people remain in urgent need of assistance, with food insecurity and displacement continuing to worsen across several states.

Humanitarian agencies have warned that restricted access to affected communities is hampering life-saving operations, prompting renewed calls for all parties to ensure unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid in line with international humanitarian law.