Payinjiar, Yirol counties agree to lift restrictions on cross-border trade
March 11, 2015 (KAMPALA) – The commissioner of Unity state’s Payinjiar county says he has successfully negotiated with officials from Lake state’s Yirol East county to open its border for the free exchange of goods between two neighbouring communities.
William Nyuon Jok was appointed to replace former commissioner John Gatluak Doar in a state cabinet reshuffle last year.
On a recent visit to Yirol East, Jok agreed with counterpart, Mayang Luk Nyithou, to allow cross-border trade.
Jok told Sudan Tribune by phone from Juba that there would be no restrictions placed on cross-border trade and that the new open policy would help facilitate the movement of goods and services.
During the visit he also assessed the conditions of internally displaced people sheltering in various areas in Lakes state.
Jok said the security situation between both counties, which are currently under rebel control, remains stable, adding that both communities had a long history of trade before the current crisis hit in mid-December 2013.
He said the free flow of goods and services between Yirol and Payinjiar will help residents who have been cut off following the signing of the 2005 comprehensive peace agreement that ended more than two decades of bloody civil war with the north.
Payinjiar county continues to lag behind Unity state’s other nine counties in terms of health facilities, road connections and telecommunication networks, largely due to its isolation.
Ongoing cattle rustling has also led to unrest on the common border between Lakes and Unity states.
Jok has urged youths from the area to abandon the practice to allow development in the region and foster peaceful co-existence between the two communities.
The commissioner said his delegation to Lake state included former minister of local government and law enforcement Samuel Lony Geng and former Payinjiar commissioner and current advisor for border affairs John Gatluak Doar.
Initially, relations the two communities were amicable, with local chiefs from both
groups grazing cattle along the common border.
However, the current crisis stirred tensions between the two neighbours, although it’s hoped the border agreement will help improve connections between previously inaccessible areas.
(ST)