In a press statement issued on Friday, the coalition said it had observed intense mobilisation activities by armed elements in northern and central Jonglei State over the past several days, allegedly with the intention of launching raids into areas inhabited by communities in Greater Pibor.
According to the coalition, the movement of armed groups has already created fear among residents of Nanaam and surrounding areas, prompting women, children, farmers, and pastoralists to flee toward Pibor town in search of safety.
“The communities, including women, children, pastoralists and farmers in Nanaam areas have started evacuating towards Pibor for fear of imminent violent intrusion,” the statement said.
The coalition warned that failure to stop the mobilization could lead to renewed intercommunal violence, including cattle raiding, child abductions, destruction of property, and the loss of livelihoods.
It further cautioned that any outbreak of violence would worsen the already fragile humanitarian situation in Nanaam, Lekuangule, and Gumuruk, areas that have experienced recurrent insecurity and displacement in recent years.
The NCSC called on the governments of Jonglei State and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area to take urgent action to prevent conflict by deploying security forces to vulnerable border areas, investigating the reported mobilization, identifying those involved, and engaging them in dialogue.
“The coalition believes that both governments have the necessary tools and force to prevent it,” the statement noted.
The civil society umbrella body also pledged its readiness to support peacebuilding efforts once tensions are contained, including facilitating dialogue between communities from Jonglei and Greater Pibor.
In addition, the coalition appealed directly to young people and community members in Jonglei State—both armed and unarmed—to reject violence and embrace peaceful coexistence.
“We urge them to rethink the chronic use of violence against fellow South Sudanese and instead envision a future built on peace, tolerance, and forgiveness,” the statement said.
The warning comes amid persistent concerns over intercommunal tensions and cattle-related conflicts that have periodically fueled violence between communities in Jonglei State and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area.
The National Civil Society Coalition is a network of grassroots civil society organisations drawn from South Sudan’s ten states and three administrative areas, working to promote inclusive civic engagement, conflict transformation, and state-building initiatives.
The government of Jonglei State did not issue a response to the statement at the time of publication.
