UNMISS peacekeepers meet Prophet Dak Kueth in Jonglei State to leverage his influence over youth to demobilize and prevent violence. (Photo: UNMISS).

Peacekeepers of the UN Mission in South Sudan have visited Prophet Dak Kueth at his shrine to encourage the powerful spiritual leader to use his “deep connection” to advance peace between armed youth in Jonglei State and Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA).

The team of uniformed and civilian peacekeepers visited the spiritual leader in Yuai, Uror County of Jonglei State following recent security developments, according to a statement from the Mission.

On 13th December 2024, GPAA authorities reported that villages in Gumuruk came under fire allegedly by the armed civilians from the neighboring Jonglei.

Providing update on the incident, GPAA Minister of Information Jacob Werchum alleged that armed youth attacked villages and raided thousands of cattle before crossing through the Gadiang border area.

However, Jonglei State government categorically stated before and after the reported violence, that its youth neither mobilized nor crossed to Pibor.

The team led by the mission’s head of Bor Field Office Geetha Pious reportedly recognized the prophet’s importance in influencing youth to demobilize and prevent further attacks, specifically in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area.

“UNMISS is committed to fostering peace between the Murle and Nuer communities in Jonglei State,” said Ms Pious at the meeting, as revealed in the statement.

“We support a peaceful democratic transition for the upcoming elections in 2026 and stand firmly with the community to promote peace and development in Uror.”

The UN mission said the security situation in Greater Lou Nuer has deteriorated due to a cycle of inter-communal violence by armed youth.

It stated that Prophet Kueth has taken a strong stand by actively urging the youth to reject revenge, although he acknowledged the “immense harm caused by violence inflicted on their communities” by other groups.

Kueth told the visiting peacekeepers that armed youth from the neighboring area have abducted 32 children in two separate incidents.

“These actions are unacceptable and are fueling significant frustration and outrage among armed Nuer youth, who believe in the pursuit of peace.”

At a recently concluded conference, senior government officials from Jonglei and GPAA emphasized youth empowerment, service delivery and enforcement of rule of law to mitigate recurrent inter-communal violence.

Jonglei Deputy Governor Atong Kuol Manyang pointed out the devastating consequences of decades of cross-border attacks on innocent civilians including women and children.

She called on armed youth from Jonglei and GPAA to end the cycle of cattle raiding, child abductions and revenge attacks.

On his part, Greater Pibor Chief Administrator, Peter Maze said community-granted impunity for criminals such as raiders and the presence of heavily armed state of the youth, are some the biggest challenges facing efforts to end inter-communal hostilities.