Parliament hears top officials on Greater Tonj insecurity
The National Legislative Assembly has heard from the Governor of Warrap State, the Minister of Interior, and the Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs over escalating insecurity, communal violence, and the breakdown of law and order in Greater Tonj Counties.
The report was presented to Parliament by MP Kornelio Mowien, prompting the appearance of the three senior officials before the Assembly.
Warrap State Governor, Amb. Bol Wek Agoth, attributed the insecurity to a combination of poverty, poor road connectivity, lack of justice and accountability, land disputes, limited public services, cattle theft, organized criminal networks, proliferation of firearms, armed opposition, and the effects of climate change.
“Despite significant improvements on insecurity issues at the moment, challenges continue to exist,” Bol said, adding that the problems continue to hinder lasting peace and service delivery in the state.
The Governor said the challenges had affected Warrap State from July 2025 to July 2026, despite efforts to improve the security situation.
Minister of Interior Gen. Aleu Ayieny Aleu said his two years as Governor of Warrap State gave him first-hand experience of the security challenges facing the region.
“Finding an AK-47 in Warrap is easier than finding a doctor or a teacher or a government official,” Aleu told Parliament.
He said the limited presence of police and other law enforcement agencies at the local level has contributed to insecurity, while delays in the payment of soldiers’ salaries have created conditions in which some personnel may sell weapons and ammunition to survive.
Aleu also alleged that some powerful individuals in Juba provide weapons to young people to protect cattle, further contributing to the proliferation of firearms.
He acknowledged that many senior officials from Tonj, including himself, own cattle and have armed people protecting their livestock.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Lt. Gen. Chol Thon Balok, said Members of Parliament and state legislators have an important role to play in promoting peace among their constituents.
He said allegations that the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces have taken sides in the conflict should be investigated, particularly because Division 11 was largely formed from people from Warrap State.
“Division 11 was formed mostly of the sons of the state, and this requires the command to send an investigation committee to find out the reality on the ground,” Chol said.
The Defence Minister assured Parliament that the SSPDF has a mandate to intervene and restore peace and order in Greater Tonj and other areas affected by insecurity.
The appearance of the officials comes amid continued concerns over communal violence, cattle-related conflicts, proliferation of firearms, and weak law enforcement in parts of Warrap State.
