Bor peace conference gathers regional actors
At Park Palace Hotel in Bor, Jonglei State Governor Dr. Riek Gai Kok opened a three-day Inter-Communal Governance Structures Peace Conference on Monday, welcoming county commissioners, youth representatives and ministers from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area.
The agenda seeks realistic ways to curb cattle raiding, child abduction and cross-border insecurity that have troubled riverine communities for years, undermining trade routes and seasonal migration patterns.
Root causes of recurrent clashes
Delegates acknowledged that economic pressures, drought-driven grazing shortages and the cultural value of cattle continue to fuel competition, often escalating into armed confrontation between neighbouring youth groups.
Governor Riek (Riek Gai Kok) urged participants to “change the narrative” by crafting shared markets and corridors that let herders and fishermen move without fear, thereby easing tensions before violence erupts.
Legal tools and enforcement pledges
GPAA Chief Administrator Gola Boyoi Gola announced a revised customary code imposing two-year jail terms and fines of forty cows on anyone convicted of child abduction, arguing that deterrence must complement dialogue.
He requested tighter coordination between national police units and local peace committees so that arrest warrants, intelligence and judicial follow-up travel quickly across wetlands and sparsely connected villages.
Signs of goodwill on opening day
In a symbolic gesture, county commissioners released nine abductees during the ceremony: six children, two women and one boy, who will be reunited with families in Pibor and Uror.
The handovers, applauded by elders and international observers, demonstrated an early willingness to translate speeches into measurable action, reinforcing public confidence in the talks.
Outlook for lasting coexistence
Over the next two days, thematic groups will draft resolutions on border demarcation, joint patrols, market reopening and youth employment, before tabling recommendations for signature by both administrations.
Observers from faith organisations and regional bodies anticipate that, if enacted, the proposals could unlock donor support for roads and agriculture, aligning peace dividends with the economic aspirations of Jonglei and GPAA youth.