Juba, October 2, 2025
President Salva Kiir Mayardit has received a detailed update on the humanitarian crisis and infrastructure challenges facing communities in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA).
The briefing was delivered on Thursday by Gola Boyoi Gola, the Chief Administrator of GPAA, during a high-level meeting at the State House, Juba.
Humanitarian Emergency in Greater Pibor
According to Gola Boyoi, thousands of families in Greater Pibor have been displaced by widespread flooding, leaving communities in desperate need of emergency relief.
Entire villages have been submerged, homes destroyed, and farmlands rendered unproductive, worsening the already fragile humanitarian situation in the semi-autonomous region.
The Chief Administrator underscored the urgency of humanitarian intervention, pointing out that affected families require food, shelter, medical support, and protection services.
He emphasized that the humanitarian emergency is not only a crisis of displacement but also one of survival, as local resources are overwhelmed by the scale of destruction.
“Flooding has displaced thousands and cut off communities from essential services. Our people need urgent support in terms of food, healthcare, and shelter. Without this intervention, the humanitarian situation will deteriorate further,” Gola told President Kiir.
Peacebuilding Efforts Amidst Crisis
Beyond the immediate humanitarian concerns, Gola briefed the President on ongoing peacebuilding efforts in GPAA. He said his administration is working with local youth to strengthen peace and stability, both within the area and with surrounding communities.
Greater Pibor has historically experienced cycles of intercommunal conflict, cattle raiding, and child abductions that have destabilized the area.
Gola stressed that continued dialogue and reconciliation efforts are essential to reducing tensions and fostering peaceful coexistence among diverse communities.
“We are engaging the youth to embrace peace and dialogue. Only through dialogue can we reduce tensions and move toward long-lasting stability,” he noted.
Kiir Orders Immediate Humanitarian Response
In response to the distressing report, President Kiir directed the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management to immediately coordinate emergency relief for flood-affected families in GPAA.
Kiir emphasized that the suffering of citizens must be addressed with urgency and directed the ministry to work in collaboration with humanitarian agencies and local authorities to deliver assistance swiftly.
“The suffering of our people in Pibor must not be ignored. I am directing the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to take immediate action, coordinate with partners, and ensure that relief reaches those in need without delay,” Kiir said.
This directive signals a strong commitment from the presidency to respond to humanitarian emergencies, even as the country prepares for the first general elections scheduled for December 2025.
Infrastructure Challenges: Juba - Pibor Road Closure
Another critical issue raised by the Chief Administrator was the closure of the Juba–Pibor road, a vital transport route that connects the region to the capital and the rest of the country.
Gola explained that the road closure has severely impacted the delivery of essential goods and services, including food supplies, medicines, and humanitarian aid. The closure has also disrupted trade, leaving communities more vulnerable to hunger, poverty, and disease.
“The Juba–Pibor road is a lifeline for our people. Its closure has made it extremely difficult to deliver humanitarian assistance and has worsened the economic situation of our communities,” he said.
The Administrator warned that without urgent intervention to rehabilitate the road network, the already dire humanitarian crisis could deepen further.
President Kiir Pledges Road Rehabilitation
President Kiir acknowledged the strategic importance of road infrastructure in GPAA, stressing that connectivity is essential for peacebuilding, humanitarian assistance, and economic development.
He assured the Chief Administrator that his administration would prioritize rehabilitating the Juba–Pibor road and other key infrastructure projects.
“We understand the importance of roads in delivering services to our people. My government is committed to rehabilitating the Juba–Pibor road so that essential goods and humanitarian aid can reach affected communities,” Kiir said.
Broader Context: Floods, Conflict, and Fragile Stability
The challenges in Greater Pibor come against the backdrop of South Sudan’s broader struggle with climate change, seasonal floods, and protracted conflicts. Each year, floods displace tens of thousands of people across the country, destroying crops and livestock and compounding food insecurity.
In GPAA, the crisis is even more pronounced due to a history of marginalization, weak infrastructure, and fragile peace agreements. Despite being granted administrative autonomy, the area continues to struggle with limited access to services and repeated humanitarian emergencies.
The engagement between President Kiir and Chief Administrator Gola is therefore significant, as it highlights national-level recognition of local challenges and a pledge to address them through both humanitarian and infrastructural responses.
Calls for International Support
While the President’s directives are welcomed, analysts and civil society actors argue that addressing GPAA’s crisis will require robust international support.
Humanitarian agencies have long warned that South Sudan’s recurrent floods are beyond the capacity of local and national institutions.
They call for increased donor support, climate adaptation strategies, and investment in disaster preparedness to ensure communities can withstand future shocks.
Political Significance Ahead of Elections
The President’s intervention in Greater Pibor is also viewed in a political context, as South Sudan prepares for its first general elections since independence in December 2025.
Observers note that addressing humanitarian crises and demonstrating commitment to infrastructure development could strengthen the government’s image and improve public trust in its ability to deliver services.
However, critics argue that promises of infrastructure rehabilitation must be matched with practical action and transparent implementation to avoid deepening mistrust among marginalized communities.
Conclusion
The meeting between President Salva Kiir and GPAA Chief Administrator Gola Boyoi Gola highlights the dual crises of humanitarian emergency and infrastructure collapse facing Greater Pibor. With thousands displaced by floods, the closure of vital transport routes, and continued intercommunal tensions, the region stands at a critical crossroads.
Kiir’s directive for immediate humanitarian intervention and his pledge to rehabilitate the Juba–Pibor road have been welcomed, but the true test lies in timely implementation and sustainable solutions.
For communities in Greater Pibor, the need is urgent: relief must arrive now, and long-term infrastructure development must follow to secure peace and stability.
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