President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Wednesday held a high-level consultative meeting with national ministers hailing from Upper Nile and Unity States, focusing on the urgent need to consolidate peace, enhance unity, and restore stability across the Greater Upper Nile Region.
The meeting, held at the State House (J1), brought together senior government officials who briefed the President on the prevailing political, security, and humanitarian situation in the region, including areas still recovering from years of conflict and displacement.
Speaking after the meeting, the delegation said discussions were “productive and forward-looking,” emphasizing coordinated efforts aimed at stabilizing counties, payams, and bomas through direct engagement with grassroots communities.
Grassroots Tour Planned Across Greater Upper Nile
The ministers revealed that they will soon embark on an extensive peace tour across the region, meeting local leaders, youth, women’s groups, and displaced populations.
The mission aims to:
Assess security and humanitarian challenges on the ground.
Promote peaceful coexistence among communities.
Strengthen government presence and public confidence.
Mobilize support for ongoing national peace initiatives.
Encourage reconciliation and dialogue in conflict-affected areas.
The delegation underscored that sustainable peace must be anchored in local participation and that the government is committed to engaging communities directly rather than relying solely on reports from intermediaries.
Senior Officials Present
The meeting was attended by some of the country’s most influential leaders involved in peacebuilding and national security, including:
Hon. Tut Gatluak Manime, Presidential Advisor on National Security
Hon. Africano Mande, Minister in the Office of the President
Hon. Dak Duop Bichiok, Minister of Public Service and Human Resource Development
Hon. James Hoth Mai, Minister of Labour
Hon. Michael Chiengjiek Geay, Minister of Lands, Housing and Public Utilities
Hon. Nadia Arop Dudi, Minister of Culture, Museums and National Heritage
Hon. James Koang Chuol, Deputy Minister for Defense and Veteran Affairs
The President urged the ministers to work collectively, avoid political fragmentation, and prioritize the welfare of citizens in the region, particularly those affected by displacement, insecurity, and economic hardships.
Commitment to Stability
Officials emphasized that the peace tour aligns with the national government’s broader strategy to ensure that the Greater Upper Nile one of the regions most affected by past conflict moves toward total stability, improved service delivery, and reconciliation among previously hostile communities.
They reaffirmed their commitment to returning peace to the region and assured citizens that the government will continue investing in security, infrastructure reconstruction, and community dialogue.
