The commissioner of Jonglei State’s Bor County has revoked the establishment of three Bomas in a move that appears aimed at easing tensions over disputed administrative boundaries that have fueled repeated disagreements between neighboring communities.
In an order dated 22 July 2026 (Reference No. BC/JS/No. 097/2026), Commissioner Samuel Ateny Pech Ariik directed the revocation of Malual Chaat Boma in Kolnyang Payam, Anuel Boma in Abii Payam, and Pan-wel Boma in Abii Payam.
The order states: “I do hereby order the revocation of the below Bomas,” before listing the three administrative units.
The commissioner further directed that “Both Abang and Maluai Communities shall remain in their previous administrative units until further directives.” The decision effectively suspends the administrative changes affecting the disputed areas while authorities determine the next course of action.
The revocation order was signed and stamped by the Office of the Commissioner on 22 July 2026.
In a separate directive issued the same day, Commissioner Ariik approved the creation of three new administrative units in other parts of Bor County.
Under Administrative Order No. 23/2026 (Reference No. BC/JS/No. 098/2026), the Commissioner established Agapiu Boma under Mathiang Payam, Thon-Athiei Boma for Mach-Ayiel under Abii Payam, and Mathiangdit Boma for Anyang Jooh under Kolnyang Payam.
Invoking powers granted under Sections 6 and 122 of the Local Government Act, 2009, the Commissioner wrote: “I do hereby issue this Administrative Order No. (23) for the establishment of three (3) Bomas under the below-mentioned Payams.”
The order adds that “These Bomas are now being established and incorporated into the aforementioned Payams as Administrative units,” noting that the communities had accepted their administrative responsibilities, including “paying of social service taxes in accordance with section 134 of the Local Government Act (2009).”
The latest decisions come after months of tensions over administrative boundaries in parts of Kolnyang and Abii Payams, where residents have raised concerns that some newly created Bomas overlapped with traditional community territories.
The boundary disputes have at times triggered violence between neighboring communities, with local leaders and authorities struggling to balance administrative reforms with long-standing customary land claims.
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