Hon. Gier Chuang proposes “annexing” Abiemnhom to Abyei to end border violence

2026-03-18 - 15:04

JUBA, South Sudan (Eye Radio) – A member of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (R-TNLA) has made a bold proposal to resolve the chronic insecurity in the Ruweng Administrative Area, suggesting that Abiemnhom be “annexed” to Abyei for the sake of survival. Hon. Gier Chuang Aluong, the former Minister of Roads and Bridges, described the relationship between Abiemnhom and Abyei as “inseparable,” comparing them to the “nose and the mouth.” Speaking on the dire security situation and the lack of infrastructure that hinders emergency responses, Hon. Gier argued that current administrative boundaries are becoming death traps for citizens. “You are in Pariang, yet if you attempt to come and rescue people here [in Abiemnhom], you risk being killed along the way,” Hon. Gier stated. “You simply cannot reach. So, we must think differently.” The lawmaker emphasized that administrative realignments should not be viewed through a political or criminal lens, but rather as a humanitarian necessity. “Annexing it [Abiemnhom] to Abyei is not a crime; it is about survival,” he declared. Hon. Gier expressed frustration over the persistent communal and territorial conflicts plaguing the country, noting that South Sudan’s vast land remains largely underpopulated. Drawing a comparison to regional neighbors, he noted that South Sudan’s landmass rivals that of Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda combined, yet it is home to fewer than 13 million people. “You can travel for miles without encountering another human being, yet we continue to fight, claiming ‘this is my land’ or ‘this is my border,’” the MP observed. “But borders for what? We are one people. Let us live together.” The lawmaker’s comments come at a time when border disputes and land-related tensions continue to fuel displacement and loss of life across several states. By advocating for a more fluid understanding of internal boundaries, Hon. Gier is calling for a shift in focus from territorial claims to the preservation of life and national unity. “People are dying over boundaries... we are one people,” he concluded.