Commissioner Pech made the declaration during the New Year’s church service at St. Andrew’s Church in Bor town, attended by local leaders, clergy, and members of the community.
The announcement follows a viral live video posted by Leek Mamer Leek, in which he rejected claims that he is a rebel and reaffirmed his allegiance to the government of South Sudan. In the video, Leek accused several prominent individuals, including Mading Ngor Akech and Thiik Thiik Mayardit, of orchestrating what he described as a smear campaign against him.
Addressing the congregation, Commissioner Pech said the pardon was part of broader efforts to restore peace and stability in Bor County and the wider Jonglei region. He urged Leek and his followers to return home, assuring them that security forces would no longer pursue or engage them militarily.
“The leader of the Red Belt group, Leek Mamer Leek, and his followers have been pardoned by the government,” Pech said. “From today, if any security force encounters Leek or his group, they will not be shot at.”
Pech further cited Leek’s recent public remarks in which he likened the government to a father figure. “Leek went live and said, ‘The government is like a father to me. If the father is beating me, I run away because I still see him as my father,’” Pech said, adding that such statements indicated Leek had no intention of fighting the government.
However, the commissioner stressed that the group’s future now depends on its conduct. He called on Leek to abandon all weapons and end activities that have resulted in loss of life and insecurity.
“What we want from Leek is for him to drop all the arms he is using for protection, which are causing harm to others,” Pech said. “He must choose whether to reintegrate into society as a civilian or join the government forces.”
The Red Belt group has been linked to multiple clashes with government forces and local authorities in recent months, raising serious security concerns in parts of Jonglei State. While the group’s activities have previously heightened tensions, the commissioner’s announcement signals a possible shift toward reconciliation and dialogue.
Reactions within Bor town were mixed. While some residents welcomed the move as a step toward peace, others questioned the commissioner’s authority to grant a pardon to a group officially designated as a rebel movement by the national government.
“Who is the commissioner to pardon Leek and his group, who were declared rebels by the national government?” asked one Bor resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “The government must clearly communicate its position through an official letter or press conference.”
The resident also raised concerns over the continued presence of government forces in Bor, citing past incidents that resulted in civilian casualties. “The declaration of this rebel group was made by the SSPDF Chief of Defense Forces,” the resident said. “This matter is too serious to be addressed informally during a church service. It requires a transparent and official process.”
