Kiir, Kuol Manyang discuss Jonglei violence

JUBA – South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit and senior presidential advisor Kuol Manyang Juuk who was the governor of Jonglei state have on Wednesday evening discuss the recent attack in Baidit area of Jonglei state, according to a statement by the presidency.

Last month, a group of armed criminals suspected to have come from Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) attacked Baidit killing at least 32 people and wounding several others including women and children sparking condemnation from local advocacy groups.

In  a statement this evening, the presidency said a group of elders from Jonglei state led by Kuol Manyang met President Salva Kiir Mayardit and discussed ways on how to enforce laws in order to avoid further violence as local youth in Jonglei have formed a group to ‘protect’ their people.

“His Excellency Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic, held a meeting with the elders of SPLM from Jonglei State led by Hon. Kuol Manyang Juuk to discuss the issues in Jonglei State and seek for amicable solutions,” the presidency said in a statement.

“The elders raised a number of issues in relation to administrative, security, political, Internally Displaced persons (IDPs) and humanitarian in Jonglei State,” the presidency statement further added.

Kiir, according to the statement, told the elders that “the issues in Jonglei state are a national concern”, and stressed that he is meeting with the concerned authorities “to address these issues for the people to live in peace and stability.”

For his part, Kuol Manyang told the SSBC that they are “concerned about the issues in Jonglei State”, and emphasized that they are going “to work closely to support H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit to address these issues for the people of Jonglei to live in peace and stability.”