Security Advisor directs Governor Nguen to convene Unity-Ruweng peace conference

2026-03-26 - 13:14

The Presidential Advisor on Security Affairs has directed the Governor of Unity State to convene a peace and reconciliation conference with the Ruweng Administrative Area to address recent violence. Speaking during a welcoming ceremony for Governor Dr. Joseph Nguen Monytuil on Wednesday, Tut Gatluak Manime stated that the Governor must urgently visit Abiemnom County to assess the situation and support efforts to restore calm. He revealed that President Salva Kiir mandated the priority of inter-communal stability during the Governor’s recent swearing-in. Tut Gatluak further called on the Governor to organize a formal conference bringing together leaders from Mayom County in Unity State and Abiemnom County in the Ruweng Administrative Area to address the causes of the violence. The Security Advisor emphasized that a conference involving all communities of the former Unity State is necessary to halt the insecurity. “Hon. Governor and the Ruweng Administrative Area, you need to conduct a conference that brings together all the people of the former Unity State to hold a national reconciliation conference among the communities to stop all insecurity issues for everyone,” Gatluak added. “Whoever wants to stay in Pariang, Abiemnom, Mayom, or Abiemnom can do so, because all are sons of South Sudan and Unity State.” The Advisor urged Governor Monytuil to travel to Abiemnom to offer condolences to affected families and demonstrate the government’s commitment to ending the conflict. “Hon. Governor, you were present during the swearing-in ceremony, where the President directed you and your deputy to go to Unity State and promote peace with your neighbors—not only Ruweng, but all surrounding areas—because you are one family under one roof,” Gatluak said. “What happened in Abiemnom is very unfortunate. So your first step, before going anywhere else, should be to visit Abiemnom together with the elders of Mayom, so that we can restore our relationship as one family, as it used to be in the past.” Recent clashes in the area reportedly left at least 160 people dead, with allegations that armed men from neighboring Unity State were involved in the attacks. Governor Joseph Monytuil returns to the leadership of Unity State after being reappointed by President Kiir following his earlier dismissal.