JUBA-South Sudan’s Governor of Jonglei State, Mahjoub Biel Turuk, on Thursday proposed the opening of more schools in Jonglei and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area to help curb conflict.
Speaking at a press conference held in Juba on Thursday, Turuk stated that the rampant cattle-related violence between Jonglei State and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area was fueled by poverty and a high illiteracy rate and emphasized that if children are educated, they will be less likely to engage in such senseless activities.
“The main reasons behind cattle raiding are poverty and illiteracy. There are no schools, and youth in Jonglei, especially in the northern part, raid cattle from Pibor, while youth in Pibor raid cattle from Jonglei,” said Turuk during the briefing at the Jonglei coordination office.
Turuk disclosed that the government of Jonglei State and the administration of the Pibor Administrative Area are working closely to end the rampant cross-border cattle raiding in their region.
“Insecurity in Jonglei State poses a significant threat to peace. Sometimes youth raid cattle, and at other times, they abduct children and women. There are many youths engaging in violence, and that is one of the challenges,” he said.
He added that the opening of schools will discourage the next generation from engaging in communal violence, noting that Jonglei and Pibor are working to establish a special court to address cases of abduction and cattle raiding.
“The governments of Jonglei State and Pibor are collaborating to deter youth violence. We have an understanding among ourselves as governments, but the youth are still not under our control. We encourage youth not to move to Pibor,” he said.
Turuk also highlighted the issue of revenge killings as a major problem in the state.
“All nine counties lack prison services, and there is a problem with the rule of law. There is also a proliferation of arms, making it difficult to differentiate between soldiers and civilians,” he said.
