Jiye agree to join Greater Pibor Administrative Area
November 8, 2014 (JUBA) – Members of South Sudan’s Jiye tribe have agreed to recognise David Yau Yau as their leader and join the newly created Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) following a three-day consultative workshop in the capital, Juba.
The Jiye is one of six tribes in Jonglei state and now one of four included in the GPAA, alongside the Murle, Kachipo and Anyuak.
Traditional chiefs, elders and intellectuals from the Jiye community were flown to Juba on Tuesday to attend the church-facilitated workshop. The meeting was funded by the European Union.
Jiye community representative Abraham Natabo Nyitaak said the four clans of Jiye living in Boma within the GPAA have demanded the creation of their own county.
“We also raised the issue of child abduction, the issue of cattle raiding, killing,” Nyitaak said at the closing ceremony on Friday.
“If this new administrative will be in [the] position to address these issues, then definitely we will be part of that,” he added.
Bishop Paul of the Episcopal Church, who led the consultative meeting, said it was made clear to Jiye community representatives attending the workshop at White Nile Hotel in Juba that their refusal to joing the GPAA wasn’t in the interests of peace in the region.
“We don’t want to cause any confusion. Those who are in Greater Pibor Administrative Area, let them remain in [the] GPAA and those who are in Eastern Equatoria, they should remain in Eastern Equatoria,” Bishop Yugusuk told reporters following the closing ceremony.
“What we need is co-existence; inter and intra reconciliation is very important,” he added, noting the complete lack of health, education and water facilities in the Jiye area.
“Actually, there is nothing in Jiye and Jiye needs special attention, special support. They use the traditional medicines; we have been using that, but of course we need to improve our services, we need to take [the] town to our people,” he said.
As part of peace deal signed with the government of president Salva Kiir in May, Pibor will get special funding from the office of the president for the provision of basic services.
Yau Yau said he will respond to the demands cited by the Jiye in their resolution paper in consultation with Jiye leaders and the office of the president.
“One of your concerns here is addressing child abduction and instant killing among the entire communities, but who have done this? I believe it is ourselves. But since we have known that it is a good step forward, then we need to sit together and resolve it ourselves,” said Yau Yau.
(ST)