By Matik Kueth
A civil society activist on Friday welcomed the decision made by the SSPDF Chief of Defense Forces, Gen. Paul Nang, directing residents of the Buooth-Agany fishing area to return to their respective villages to pave the way for peace dialogue between rival communities of Duk and Twic East counties in Jonglei State.
The directive, issued on Thursday, aims to de-escalate renewed inter-communal violence in the area, where recent clashes have claimed several lives and left properties destroyed.
In a statement, Bol Deng Bol, Executive Director of Intrepid South Sudan (ISS), hailed the move as a timely and commendable step toward restoring stability in the area.
He said the military’s intervention provides a much-needed opportunity to restore calm and create an environment conducive to reconciliation.
“It is unfortunate that many lives have already been lost, and properties have also been destroyed. This is due to the government’s inaction since this conflict started in 2023,” Bol said.
The violence in Buooth-Agany, a strategic fishing area along the Nile, stems from longstanding disputes over fishing rights, grazing land, and administrative boundaries between the neighboring Dinka sub-communities of Duk and Twic East.
Since early 2023, sporadic confrontations have erupted, leading to loss of life, destruction of property, and mass displacement, further straining fragile peace efforts in Jonglei State.
While condemning what he described as a “sluggish government response,” Bol expressed cautious optimism about the SSPDF’s latest move, saying it demonstrates a commitment to peacebuilding.
“This is to appreciate the recent SSPDF intervention by ordering the evacuation of Buooth-Agany to give room for dialogue between or among the aggrieved Duk and Twic East County communities,” he stated.
Bol, however, urged both the army and residents to cooperate responsibly during the evacuation exercise, warning against heavy-handed tactics or civilian harm.
“And also urge the conflicting communities to comply, and also urge the army to respect civilian settlements and livelihoods while occupying this fishing site,” he added.
He stressed that the essence of the military order should remain humanitarian, not punitive.
The activist further called on the national and state governments to move beyond reactive measures and establish a sustainable conflict resolution framework.