Conflicting messages emerged this week over the anticipated visit of Jonglei State Governor Dr. Riak Gai Kok to Akobo, after local authorities affirmed their readiness to receive him while the SPLA-IO loyal to Riek Machar issued strong warnings barring any SPLM-IG officials from entering its controlled areas.
Akobo County Commissioner James Kueth Makuach on Thursday dismissed what he described as “baseless rumors” suggesting the governor was not welcome in Akobo.
According to the commissioner, preparations are underway and an advance team is expected to arrive ahead of the governor’s visit.
“As you can see around, the community of Akobo are preparing to welcome the Governor, His Excellency Riak Gai Kok, to Akobo, and the advance team will arrive in a few hours,” Kueth told reporters in his office on Thursday.
He urged the public to ignore circulating claims that the governor had been blocked from traveling to the county.
“To all listeners, we are getting some rumors that the Governor is not allowed to come to Akobo, so we define those rumors as baseless. The community of Akobo welcomes the Governor to arrive any time that he wishes,” he said.
Kueth added that any delay in the visit would stem from the governor’s official commitments, not from community resistance. “If he doesn’t come this week, it’s not because of anything from the Akobo community,” he noted.
SPLA-IO Issues Sharp Warning Against the Visit
But in a sharply worded statement issued the same week, the SPLA-IO spokesman Col. Lam Paul Gabriel in a statement on his social media handle accused Governor Riak Gai Kok of planning what it called an “aggressive” and “politically motivated” visit to territory under its control.
“The SPLA-IO learned with concern the aggressive planned visit of Governor Riak Gai Kok of Jonglei State to Akobo,” said SPLA-IO spokesperson Col. Lam Paul Gabriel in a statement dated November 13. “Much as the SPLA-IO respects and wants peace, it will never tolerate any intentional aggression.”
The opposition group that’s in hiding declared that no SPLM-IG official — including the governor — would be allowed to enter any SPLA-IO–held area.
Furthermore, the SPLA-IO also issued warnings to airlines operating from Juba, accusing some private carriers of previously transporting weapons and government troops disguised as humanitarian flights, and allegations this outlet couldn’t independently verify.
“To airlines in Juba, be warned… This will never be tolerated anymore,” the statement read. The group said any aircraft ferrying SPLM-IG personnel or weapons would be detained along with all passengers for investigation.
Restricted Landing Order Enforced
In a release Friday November 14 announced a 72-hour restricted landing order at Akobo Airstrip starting at noon the same day.
Under the directive: Only UNMISS, UN-marked aircraft, ICRC, and MSF flights are permitted to land, no private airline is allowed entry, and any violation “will lead to detention of that plane and all onboard” with no accountability assumed by the SPLA-IO for potential damage.
The group said the restriction may be extended depending on the security situation.
As of Friday, it remained unclear whether Governor Riak Gai Kok would proceed with the visit amid the newly declared restrictions and escalating warnings from the SPLA-IO.
