The governor of South Sudan’s Jonglei State, Dr. Riek Gai Kok, ordered the relocation of Bor County’s headquarters from Bor town to Baidit in a gubernatorial decree issued Wednesday evening, sparking mixed reactions among residents.
Baidit Payam, located within Bor County about 30 kilometers (19 miles) north of Bor town, has seen past violence, including a January 2022 attack involving suspects from the neighboring Pibor area.
Since South Sudan’s independence in 2011, Bor town has served as the capital of both Jonglei State and Bor County, one of the state’s nine counties.
The governor cited Article 99(2)(a) of the state constitution as the basis for the relocation.
Some residents who spoke to Radio Tamazuj criticized the move as politically motivated.
Deng Mayen, a youth leader from Gok, said the Bor county headquarters was originally designated for Werkok in a 2006 agreement approved by community leaders and the then-governor.
“If there was any decision to move the headquarters from Bor town, it should be done through the community. The right place should be Werkok, not Baidit,” Mayen said. “Werkok is central, connecting all five payams of Bor. There is no genuine reason to move to Baidit.”
Others, however, welcomed the decision.
Achol Jok, a Baidit resident, said the relocation would bring security and development to the area.
Civil society activist Kuch Isaiah of the Jonglei Civil Society Network urged dialogue, noting the division the move has caused.
“While some welcome the relocation, others view it as political,” Isaiah said. “We urge dialogue to avoid division within the Bor community.”