By Matik Kueth
On Saturday, authorities from Jonglei State and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) wrapped up a historic three-day peace and development conference in Yuai, Uror County, heralding in a shift toward cooperation between the two conflicting regions.
The gathering brought together influential voices from five counties, Duk, Ayod, and Uror of Jonglei, and Lekuangole and Gumuruk of GPAA.
Among them were youth representatives, traditional chiefs, church leaders, and civil society actors, all united by one goal: to break the cycle of intercommunal violence and sow seeds of lasting reconciliation.
In a statement, Dr. Riak Gai, Governor of Jonglei State, hailed the conference as a pivotal moment in the region’s journey toward healing.
“This initiative shows that we are ready to turn the page. Development and investment cannot thrive where there is instability. That is why this dialogue matters,” Dr. Gai said.
He announced plans to raise a symbolic white flag within the coming week, a gesture meant to reflect a mutual commitment to nonviolence, particularly among the youth.
Gai applauded GPAA Chief Administrator Gola Boyoi Gola, who participated in the summit despite his recent return from Pibor.
On his part, Gola emphasized that peace is not an event, but a continuous process.
“What we’ve started here must be sustained. Mobile peace teams will be deployed during the dry season to engage directly with communities, and we are prioritizing ongoing exchange visits to keep the lines of communication open,” he stated.
The leaders also pledged to maintain joint efforts toward reconciliation, promising to convert the momentum of the conference into long-term strategies for security, dialogue, and development.