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The head of the Greater Pibor Administrative Area, Golla Boyoi Golla, and the Governor of Eastern Equatoria, Louis Lobong Lojore, exchanged accusations during the 8th Governors’ Forum regarding the closure of a crucial road that serves as a lifeline for the residents of Jebel Boma and Vertet counties in Pibor.
Administrative official Golla Boyoi blamed his counterpart in Eastern Equatoria for the road closure. In his remarks, Boyoi stated that the closure had caused significant challenges, leaving communities without access to food supplies. He explained that the road has been closed since April this year due to insecurity arising from inter-communal conflicts.
He noted that the situation had exacerbated the difficulties faced by the residents of Jebel Boma, as roads leading to Juba and the local airstrip were rendered unusable due to the rainy season.
Boyoi added that the Eastern Equatoria state government had closed the Kapoeta-Boma road since April because of inter-communal conflict, affecting the transport of goods and the access of residents in Jebel Boma and Vertet Marwo, who heavily rely on this road for essential supplies.
He stated, “The closure of the Boma road, which connects counties in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area, hinders humanitarian aid efforts, security operations, agricultural activities, and market access.”
He also clarified, “The Boma airstrip is operational only during the dry season and becomes unusable during the rainy season and floods.”
In response, Eastern Equatoria Governor Louis Lobong claimed that the road was closed after thousands of armed individuals from Pibor launched a deadly attack on the Kapoeta area.
Lobong asserted that the road closure occurred automatically and was not a decision made by his government.
He threatened legal action against the accusations if the report presented by his Pibor counterpart was not addressed and corrected.
Lobong stated that the report had been discussed and presented to the cabinet, meaning it had been officially approved by the Greater Pibor Administrative Area government.
