The 24-hour ultimatum given by Jonglei State Governor Riek Gai Kok on 30 October, directing the Twic East and Duk county commissioners to have the youth immediately vacate the contested fishing islands, has elapsed, with both commissioners reporting that the directive was being implemented.
“You are hereby directed to immediately inform and evacuate all youth currently gathered in the following locations: Biothagany, Lang, Paluat, Panom-Kwai, Sedaf, and Dong,” Governor Gai’s directive, the commissioners read in part.
The directive warned subordinates of administrative and legal measures in the event of non-compliance.
The governor’s directive consolidates an earlier order by the army chief, Gen. Paul Nang Majok, giving rival youths 48 hours to leave to pave the way for the deployment of security forces to maintain law and order in the islands whose waters are rich in fish and have seen violence for years.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Sunday night, Twic East County Commissioner Juac Arok Juac said the order has been executed.
“Following the governor’s order issued on 30 October, which aligns with the army chief’s order, people of Twic East warmly welcomed it, and informed our people in the mentioned areas to evacuate for the safety of our people,” he stated. “The order has been observed since 30 October. The contested areas that saw violent conflicts since 2023 were Lang and Biothagany. The directive also mentioned surrounding areas like Paluat, Dong, and Panom-Kuai, which are not contested but had already been evacuated because of insecurity.”
For his part, Duk County Commissioner John Chatim Ruei also said his youth were vacating the contested areas.
“The evacuation order has been received, and it is being implemented,” he said. “Our youth have been evacuating the contested areas.”
Civil society activist Bol Deng Bol, who doubles as the executive director of INTREPID South Sudan (ISS), cautiously welcomed the army’s order directing the youth to vacate the islands.
“Unfortunately, many lives have been lost already, and properties have been destroyed due to the government’s inaction. However, this is to appreciate the SSPDF’s intervention by ordering the evacuation of Biothagany to give room for dialogue between the aggrieved Duk-Twic East communities,” Bol stated. “Even as we welcome this initiative, I want to urge the conflicting communities to comply, and also urge the army to respect civilian settlements and livelihoods while occupying the fishing site.”