By Guya Scopas Bethuel
Just days after a landmark peace and development conference between Jonglei State and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA), new violence has threatened to undermine the fragile trust built during the three-day summit.
Authorities confirmed that on Tuesday, August 5th, a deadly attack in Mogiri Payam claimed the lives of six Murle cattle traders and two organized force personnel, leaving eight others injured and over 3,000 cattle stolen. The attackers, reportedly a criminal group from Jonglei State known as the Red Belt, ambushed the traders around 7:00 p.m., marking a serious setback to recent peace efforts.
In a strongly worded statement, Gola Boyoi Gola, Chief Administrator of GPAA, condemned the attack, describing it as a “brutal and criminal act” that undermines the region’s ongoing peace process. “This reprehensible act of violence reflects a grave disregard for human life and complicates the peace that our communities strive to build,” Gola stated.
He warned that continued attacks would hinder reconciliation efforts, especially as both governments are actively encouraging youth to engage in peaceful economic activities like trade rather than cattle raiding.
Gola called on the national government and law enforcement agencies to act swiftly to monitor the Red Belt group and recover the stolen cattle. “This group is well organized and they are threatening not only the security of GPAA traders but the country as a whole,” he said.
The attack comes just days after leaders and community representatives from Jonglei and GPAA gathered in Yuai, Uror County, for a peace conference aimed at ending decades of intercommunal violence. Attended by county officials, youth leaders, traditional chiefs, church representatives, and civil society, the summit was hailed as a breakthrough.
Dr. Riek Gai Kok, Governor of Jonglei State, and Gola Boyoi, Chief Administrator of GPAA, were photographed sitting together during the peace conference in Yuai, Uror County. [Photo courtesy].
Chief Administrator Gola Boyoi Gola, who attended the peace summit despite his recent return to Pibor, stressed that peacebuilding must be continuous. “What we’ve started here must be sustained,” he said, revealing plans for mobile peace teams and ongoing exchange visits to reinforce community trust.
The renewed violence in Magiri now puts those plans to the test, raising concerns among local communities and observers over whether the promises made at the conference can withstand such provocations.
Both leaders have reiterated their commitment to pursuing peace despite the challenges, but the path ahead remains uncertain unless firm action is taken to prevent further violence and hold perpetrators accountable.