Bor - South Sudan: The Special Representative of the Secretary General, David Shearer, has pledged to support efforts aimed at building peace in the greater Jonglei area.  

The SRSG arrived in Bor on Thursday, on his latest leg of tour to the country as head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, to assess the activities of the United Nations in the region.

Mr. David Shearer, held meetings with the government officials, traditional leaders and United Nations officials, during which he was briefed about the key threats to peace and stability  in this part of the country.

“The biggest security threat in the region is cattle rustling and child abduction,” said Philip Aguer Panyang, the Governor of Jonglei state.

The Governor said efforts have been made to implement comprehensive solutions to the ongoing cattle raiding, child abductions and killings.

Majok Kelei, representative of the Dinka community, read out a set of recommendations designed to address the problems of cattle raids and child abductions that have strained relations between Boma and Jonglei state.

“Immediate implementation of the December 2016 peace agreement between Boma and Jonglei state and conduct face-to-face negotiations between the communities of Bor Dinka and the Murle,” said Kelei. “All abducted children, goats and sheep and raided cattle must be returned to the rightful owners,” he stressed.

Addressing a joint News conference in Bor, Mr. Shearer said the UN mission in South Sudan would support all efforts designed to build peace in the greater Jonglei area.

“We were talking in particular with the paramount chiefs of the area about the issue of cattle rustling and child abduction and we offered all we can to build peace between communities”. Said David Shearer.

Mr. Shearer emphasized the importance of cooperation between the police forces to control criminal activities in the region.

“Cooperation between the police forces is the way to go forward,” he said, “It seems like Bor is ahead of Juba In terms of the progress that we have been making so possibly we can use Bor as an example of the way the cooperation should happen.”  

The SRSG heads to Pibor today to meet with local authorities and community leaders.