Morobo Community Leaders Urge Commissioner to Prioritize Grassroots Peace Efforts

(MOROBO COUNTY) – Community leaders in Central Equatoria State’s Morobo County have called on the newly appointed county commissioner to prioritize inclusive grassroots peace dialogue to restore stability in the area.

Morobo County, strategically located along the South Sudan–Uganda–DR Congo border, has faced persistent insecurity and human rights challenges since 2016.

According to Modi Peter, a local religious leader, promoting both civil-military and military-to-military dialogue could help build trust and strengthen peace and reconciliation among conflict-affected communities.

Speaking during a consultative meeting with the county commissioner on Thursday, youth leaders also urged the county government to develop initiatives that bring young people together to focus on peacebuilding and economic productivity.

Paramount Chief Naphtali Yakani welcomed the commissioner’s appointment and pledged the full support of grassroots chiefs in advancing peacebuilding efforts across the county.

For his part, County Commissioner Joseph Mawa Okuba said he plans to engage all stakeholders—including government officials, security forces, religious leaders, youth, women, traditional authorities, and the business community to restore peace and stability.

Okuba emphasized the need for collective action to address insecurity to enable displaced populations to return home safely and end divisive politics. He called for dialogue driven solutions that prioritize the well-being of affected communities.