Authorities and community leaders in Bor County, Jonglei State, have agreed to initiate dialogue with members of the Red Belt vigilante group in an effort to peacefully resolve the ongoing standoff.

Bor County Commissioner Ateny Pech announced that the local community has decided to either integrate Red Belt members into the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) under Division Eight or remove them from the county if they refuse.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, Commissioner Ateny said the wider Bor community is united in condemning the group’s independent actions.

“The condemnation is firm and unanimous,” he stated, adding that MPs, paramount chiefs, and youth leaders all expressed opposition to the Red Belt’s activities. “We have also agreed to engage the families of Red Belt members to persuade them to either join the national army under Division Eight or leave Bor County entirely.”

Local leaders plan to meet directly with the families to convince members to abandon independent operations and integrate with the regular forces. The Baidit Payam community is scheduled to approach Red Belt chairperson Leek Mamer to secure his surrender. Should this attempt fail, the commissioner warned that government forces would take action.

The resolution was reached at a high-level meeting chaired by the commissioner’s office and attended by Bor County MPs, Payam administrators, traditional chiefs, civil officials, and generals from Division Eight.

The Red Belt, a community-based defense force from the Dinka Bor community, gained attention earlier this year following attacks on government troops, including a September incident. The national army has since classified it as a rebel group. However, leader Leek Mamer rejects the label, asserting that the Red Belt exists to protect local communities amid ongoing insecurity and insufficient state protection.

Last week, an operation by security forces in Bor left two people dead, including the Red Belt’s deputy commander and a national security officer. The incident, which occurred at a town center hotel, triggered unrest and gunfire that caused widespread panic.

Human rights activist Ter Manyang Gatwech welcomed the decision to engage in dialogue, emphasizing that negotiation is a vital tool in modern conflict resolution. “South Sudanese communities should learn to use dialogue and negotiation to address disputes,” he said.