Jie Community does not want to be part of the Greater Pibor Administrative Area, representative Natabu Abraham has told Eye Radio.

There are two sections of Jie. One is a section of two clans in Jonglei, which were by then part of Pibor county;

And another group comprising of two clans in Kapoeta East County, Eastern Equatoria State.

Mr Abraham says they were not part of the peace agreement that established the Greater Pibor Administrative Area and were not consulted in the creation of the seven counties.

He said his community needs to be given their own county that will remain under Jonglei State or join Eastern Equatoria State.

“The four clans have come out very strongly that there is a need for them also to be recognized because they are tired; they are tired of being an attaché to the other communities,” he said.

“They need their own county that can also take the services to their own people. We met with the leadership of Murle. We told them that you guys, we are not part of you; we are not part of Greater Pibor Administrative Area. They should forget us.

“So, we need our own county. It will continue to remain part of Bor (Jonglei) or the Jie is to decide if they want to be part of EES if at all there is no route for us to go to Bor.”

The Chief Administrator of the Greater Pibor Administrative Area, David Yau Yau, says the Jie’s demand for their own county has been presented to the president.

“His Excellency told them clearly that if they don’t join GPAA then they need to join EES. This is their choice. If they want to join there, it is up to them,” said Mr Yau.

Mr. Yau, Yau says the community is currently not reporting to either his administration or Jonglei State.

The Greater Pibor Administrative Area was created last month as part of an agreement with the South Sudan Liberation Movement – Cobra Faction led by David Yau Yau.