President Salva Kiir Mayardit has urged the governments of Warrap and Western Bahr el Ghazal states to strengthen cooperation in resolving a long-running territorial dispute between communities living along their shared border.
The President’s call came after Warrap Governor Bol Wek Agoth and Western Bahr el Ghazal Governor Sheriff Daniel Sheriff briefed him on the security situation and efforts to calm tensions between communities in Gogrial East and Jur River counties.
At the heart of the dispute is Manyang, an area claimed by communities from both sides.
Governor Bol Wek said coordinated efforts by the two state administrations, together with security authorities, had helped reduce tensions in the contested area.
However, he stressed that more work was needed to address the grievances that have contributed to repeated disagreements and prevent the situation from deteriorating again.
The two states are seeking support to convene a joint peace and reconciliation conference bringing together a broad range of community representatives.
Traditional leaders, elders, women, youth, intellectuals and other stakeholders from the affected communities are expected to participate in the proposed dialogue.
The conference would give the communities an opportunity to present their concerns, discuss the Manyang dispute and explore a mutually acceptable path toward a lasting settlement.
Governor Wek also highlighted the close social and economic relationships between communities on both sides of the border, arguing that their shared history and interdependence could provide a foundation for reconciliation.
The governors also appealed to journalists, media outlets and social media users to exercise responsibility when reporting or commenting on the dispute.
They urged the public to avoid messages that could provoke hostility and instead use communication platforms to encourage dialogue, restraint and peaceful coexistence.
The appeal comes as local authorities seek to prevent disputes over land and territorial boundaries from triggering further insecurity between neighboring communities.
President Kiir’s intervention places greater emphasis on cooperation between the two state governments and community leaders as efforts continue to resolve the dispute peacefully.
The initiative also comes as South Sudan prepares for the 2026 general elections, increasing the importance of maintaining stability in communities where local disputes could potentially widen into broader security challenges.
For now, authorities are looking toward dialogue as the preferred route for addressing the Manyang dispute, with the proposed peace conference expected to provide a platform for both sides to air their grievances and work toward an agreement.
