The public gathering focused on peace and security was led by Warrap State Governor Kuol Muor Muor on Friday in Tonj town, the county seat of Tonj South. According to officials, the purpose of the visit was to introduce the governor to the security environment, share the green book—a legislative instrument for resolving intercommunal disputes—and discuss ways to promote peaceful boundaries between Warrap State and its neighbours.
The governor’s visit was intended to better the relationship along the borders with the Lakes and Western Bahr El Ghazal states, according to William Wol Mayom, the Warrap State Minister of Information, who spoke with Radio Tamazuj on Saturday.
The governor is in Tonj South County to evaluate the state of security and to motivate the locals to concentrate on agriculture in order to increase food production. To maintain harmony along the borders, Governor Muor would also communicate with his counterparts, Sarah Cleto of Western Bahr El Ghazal State and Rin Tueny of Lakes State, he clarified.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Tonj South, Tobbi Mawien, acknowledged the reports of difficulties the communities were suffering. She brought attention to the lack of adequate communication networks and the scarcity of basic items in the local markets.
“The people of Tonj South County welcomed us with open arms when we arrived on Thursday night. They greeted us with open arms, and the governor held a peace and security rally in Tonj town on Friday. This peace and reconciliation-focused gathering gave the governor and us MPs a great chance to spread the recently approved green book by the state assembly in 2024,” he said.
The Warrap state bylaw, known as the “green book,” was enacted in 2024 to solve communal violence. It penalises anyone who intentionally kill or steal animals by firing scouts.
Mawien went on to say that the community is calling for improved social services, mentioning in particular the dearth of agricultural products in nearby marketplaces. The governor has responded by promising to import food goods from Juba that are subsidised.
We are appreciative of the peace that the communities of Tonj South have embraced since 2021. The Tonj communities are still dedicated to peace even in the face of sporadic insecurity along their borders with neighbouring states, such as Cueibet County in Lakes State. He said, “But they are requesting that the state government defend them and send security troops in opposition to armed individuals from Cueibet County, Lakes state.
Due to the poor harvest from the previous agricultural year, MP Mawien brought attention to the situation of his voters, including those who have returned from the war in Sudan and are in need of food. In response, the governor gave an assurance that food supplied by the government will be sent from Juba to stabilise food costs in Tonj South County and the state at large.
Additionally, Mawien stated that the Jak and Mabior Yar communities are calling for better community networks. He mentioned that the governor will hold a similar peace and security rally in Agogo, one of the Payams of the Bongo tribe in Tonj South County, today, Saturday.
