19/06/2026
Tonj South Youth Reject Special Forces + Mining Equipment in Agugo Payam
TONJ SOUTH, JUNE 18, 2026 — Youth and local leaders in Tonj South County held an emergency meeting with Commissioner Gordon Makuer Tiau and county officials. They gathered to demand a stop to the current preparations, special forces deployment, and mining work in Dadar Boma, Aguka Payam.
The meeting was triggered by a recent letter from Bongo Community Leadership, headed by Michael Dangaru Sebit. The letter gave Marathon Petroleum Services Company permission to start mining in the Ghandi area of Dadar Boma. The youth moved fast to question the decision and ask for intervention.
At the meeting, the youth raised concerns that the letter only favored the Bongo community and ignored the other four communities in Tonj South. They called it unfair and asked for a process that includes everyone affected by the mining project.
They officially asked county authorities to pause all mining work at the site. They also requested a full consultation meeting with all communities to clear confusion and reduce tension. Their goal: transparency and shared decisions before any mining starts.
Commissioner Gordon Makuer told the youth that gold mining hasn’t started yet — only ground preparation is happening. He promised the county will do a joint inspection of the mining area with reps from all five Tonj South communities before approving or stopping anything.
In his closing remarks, the Commissioner urged the youth to keep up this united spirit. He said if young people can stay this united to solve insecurity and local conflicts, Tonj South will see real peace. His message: collective action helps the whole community, not just individual interests.
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