Northern Bahr el Ghazal Governor Simon Ober Mawut has urged youth to avoid social media incitement and embrace dialogue following recent attacks on traders in Jonglei State.
The call for calm comes as youth leaders from the state mobilize a lawsuit against the Jonglei state government, demanding justice for the victims.
The tensions flared in mid-September after traders from the Bahr el Ghazal region were reportedly assaulted in Panliet, a suburb of Bor Town. The attack left several traders seriously injured and resulted in significant property losses.
In response, a youth committee from Northern Bahr el Ghazal began fundraising to file a lawsuit against the Jonglei state government, citing its failure to arrest the perpetrators.
Addressing youth and student leaders in Juba, at the coordination office, on Wednesday, Governor Mawut cautioned that inflammatory rhetoric could undermine peace efforts.
According to a statement from his office, he reassured the leaders that the issue was being handled at the highest levels, confirming that the governors of Warrap, Lakes, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, and Jonglei are in official communication to find a lasting solution.
“He [Governor Ober] urged the youth to refrain from incitement on social media, emphasizing that such actions could undermine government efforts to find lasting solutions to the recurring issue,” noted the office of the governor.
Authorities in Northern Bahr el Ghazal had ordered a halt to the planned lawsuit, emphasizing the need for dialogue with the two state governments.
The youth committee pushed back, asserting its independence from the state government. In a statement, the committee clarified its objectives were to seek compensation for the injured, pursue justice, and set a legal precedent to deter future attacks.
As a compromise, the committee has agreed to temporarily suspend its activities for four weeks to give the two state governments a chance to address their demands.
However, they warned that the lawsuit remains “open to be resumed by the victims or their representatives, should there be no legal action taken” within that period.
