The courtesy visit, held at the advisor’s office in Bor, focused on the prolonged recess of the Jonglei State Legislative Assembly and the resulting limitations on legislative oversight and public accountability at a time when security and humanitarian conditions continue to deteriorate. Both parties noted that the absence of an active legislative body has weakened institutional checks and reduced avenues for citizens to raise urgent concerns through formal state mechanisms.
Discussions further centred on the humanitarian and human rights implications of ongoing hostilities between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army–In Opposition (SPLA-IO), alongside affiliated armed groups. The conflict has triggered repeated displacement and heightened vulnerability for civilians, particularly in Duk County, Twic East County, and Bor County.
Bol Deng Bol raised alarm over reports of human rights violations and worsening living conditions among internally displaced persons. He noted that many displaced families continue to struggle with inadequate access to safety, food, shelter, and essential services, leaving them exposed to exploitation, disease, and further violence.
Emphasising the need to prevent community polarisation, Bol stressed that the ongoing crisis is fundamentally political rather than ethnic in nature. He urged civilians to resist mobilisation into armed confrontation and encouraged local communities to prioritise coexistence despite rising tensions.
“It is our collective responsibility to protect civilians and uphold human rights, regardless of political differences,” he said, calling for restraint among armed actors and community leaders alike.
The INTREPID director also appealed to the warring parties to unconditionally cease hostilities and recommit to nonviolent conflict resolution mechanisms provided under the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
Simon Manyok Deng welcomed the engagement, describing it as timely given the fragile security and governance situation. He reaffirmed the state government’s readiness to work with civil society organisations to strengthen human rights monitoring, civilian protection, and accountability initiatives.
Both sides concluded the meeting by underscoring the importance of sustained dialogue between government institutions and civil society as Jonglei State navigates one of its most challenging periods in recent years.
