New bridge at Jur River constructed by Chinese government - Courtesy

Luo Youth in Western Bahr el Ghazal State renewed their categorical rejection to proposed naming of the new bridge at Jur River after veteran politician Clement Mboro, during a consultation with an investigation committee.

The youth body met with the team of inquiry that arrived in Wau last week to collect public views over the contested naming of the new bridge built by Chinese company.

Tension gripped the area in October 2023 after a group of Luo Youth presented a petition to the state assembly over the matter.

Before that, the youth body had also petitioned the state Governor Sarah Cleto Rial over the controversial naming of the bridge while asking her to revoke it.

The youth believe the renaming of the bridge is a land grabbing strategy.

A five-member committee was formed and sent to the state to meet officials, youth, traditional leaders, state members of parliament to understand the circumstances behind the conflict.

On Thursday, the committee headed by Kornelio Kon Ngu, the Deputy Speaker of the National Parliament, met the state executive, parliamentarians, and local chiefs from Jur River County among others.

During the consultative meeting, Luo Youth requested the mediating delegation to remove the newly installed signpost bearing the name Clement Mboro before they return to Juba.

Speaking to the press, Gabriel Dhal Yak, Luo Youth Chairperson said they will accept the committee’s investigation result and resolutions.

“We have totally rejected the name Clement Mboro, I’m also requesting the committee that have come from Juba, if they have really come to listen to us, then I’m requesting them also to remove the signposts that are fixed there,” Dhal said.

“Go back to Juba, meet the president whatever resolutions that will come out from there it is Clement Mboro, there is no problem. It does not cause government money for refixing it (signpost) back.”

“If it’s the name we are calling for, then it’s the matter of rubbing this name Clement Mboro then put the name we wish for, it’s my humble call to committee that before they go, let them remove the signpost then let the bridge remain the way it was.”

On her part, Abek Manyuat, the Women Representative supported the demands made by the youth body.

Abek said women in Jur River County have rejected the proposed name of the bridge since it is creating instability in the state.

“For the issue of bridge that people are talking about, we as the women we are also rejected with name Clement Mboro, the name alone is not the problem but there are other political reasons that we don’t want.”

“So, we don’t this name, but if the bridge name returns to Jur river bridge we have no problem, what we are saying want peace.”

The committee chairperson, Hon. Kornelio Kon, said they have recorded the comprehensive grievances of the youth including other issues apart from the naming of the bridge.

“We have met the youth, and they have told us a lot, is not only about the bridge. There some area names have been changed and many complaints,” Kon said.

Kon, however, said the committee is not in a position to answer the issues raised by youth, stressing that their work is facts finding and giving recommendations to the national government.

“We are not here to answer, but we will collect all what we got from here, plus our recommendations, we tell the president that what we got from WBG is not only about the bridge, but the bridge was just a mean for people to reach to their problem.”

He assured the youth issue will be addressed through a political settlement without violence.

“To the people of Jur River you stay strong, and we will stand with you by heart and spirit for solving this problem politically without shedding the blood.”

“The right is right whatever the cause, anything that has been established wrongly will remained wrong, so if the name was wrong then will go for what your state wants to name it.”