Author: Obaj Okuj | Published: 5 minutes ago | Analysis & Context by Expert Editor
Hon. Deng Joh Angok, Deputy Governor of Upper Nile State, interviewed by Eye Radio in Malakal, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (Credit: Obaj Okuj)
MALAKAL, Upper Nile (Eye Radio) — In a pivotal moment for a state long defined by division, Upper Nile State Deputy Governor Deng Joh Angok has issued a profound and urgent call for reconciliation. His appeal comes as the state government finalizes preparations for a landmark peace and reconciliation conference, an event poised to determine the region’s trajectory for years to come.
Speaking exclusively to Eye Radio in Malakal, Deputy Governor Deng framed the challenge with stark clarity. He explained that the “social fabric” of Upper Nile is not merely frayed but fundamentally fractured by years of cyclical conflict, political fragmentation, and communal violence. This fracture, he argued, is the primary obstacle to progress. Rebuilding, therefore, is not just a physical endeavor but a deeply social and psychological one, requiring a collective commitment that transcends political affiliations and ethnic lines.
Deng’s message moved beyond political rhetoric to address the core human dynamics of recovery. He acknowledged the profound legitimacy of past grievances—a critical step in any genuine reconciliation process. However, he presented a difficult but necessary choice: to be permanently anchored by those grievances or to consciously forge a new shared identity. “Forgiveness and peaceful coexistence are not signs of weakness,” his argument implies, “but the only strategic foundations upon which a stable and prosperous Upper Nile can be rebuilt.”
“We as sons and daughters of Upper Nile should forgive one another,” Deng stated, directly appealing to a common identity. “This state is ours, and we should unite to benefit from its resources for development. It is time for us to forget about the past and live in peaceful coexistence.” This call to unity around shared resources is particularly significant. Upper Nile is rich in oil and agricultural potential, yet these assets have often been a source of conflict rather than communal benefit. Deng reframes them as a collective inheritance to be stewarded together.
He further grounded his appeal in a powerful, universal principle: “No one is better than the other; we are all created in the image of God. We must have equality among ourselves.” This statement serves as a direct counter to the hierarchies and prejudices that fuel conflict, advocating for a foundational respect that must underpin all legal and political frameworks.
The Deputy Governor provided concrete details on the state’s next step: the creation of a “conducive environment” for a comprehensive peace and reconciliation conference. This is a complex logistical and security undertaking. Such a forum aims to be more than a talking shop; it is designed as a structured platform for “honest dialogue” among politicians, intellectuals, professionals, and, crucially, traditional leaders. Including traditional authority figures is essential, as they hold enduring social legitimacy and influence at the grassroots level, where national peace agreements often fail to resonate.
“My message to the people of Upper Nile—politicians, intellectuals, doctors, and everyone else—is let us open up and talk about our issues freely,” Deng urged. “We want to conduct this conference to discuss our challenges, and I am confident we will achieve positive outcomes that will make Upper Nile great and strong again.” The success of this conference will hinge on its inclusivity and its ability to move from discussion to actionable, agreed-upon steps for governance, resource sharing, and justice.
In conclusion, Deng reaffirmed the state government’s role as facilitator and guarantor of security for this fragile process. The ultimate goal, he made clear, is a strategic pivot: to shift the state’s focus and energy away from the exhausting cycle of conflict and toward the sustainable and equitable development of its vast resources. This conference represents not an end, but a critical beginning—a test of whether the people and leaders of Upper Nile can collectively author a new chapter defined not by what has divided them, but by what they aspire to build together.