In a broad move for autonomy fought along tribal lines, the Pibor administrative area was formed. This fight for sovereignty started from the time South Sudan gained its independence in 2011. Many armed groups took to the forest to wage war on the newly formed central government of South Sudan. The popular group was the South Sudan Democratic Movement/Army, which was started as a movement to address the ethnic problems many tribes in this area faced. Shortly after its formation, it quickly took up arms following the ultimate takeover of the movement by the Cobra Faction.
The disgruntled tribes that ended up taking arms to form an insurrection against the state administration of Jonglei state under the government of South Sudan included the Anyuak, Jie, Kachepo, and Murle. The Murle tribe dominated and spearheaded the insurrections and even headed the Cobra Faction that was the main armed group under the larger South Sudan Democratic Movement.
In line with ending the continued armed conflicts and civil wars across the country, the South Sudan government signed a peace agreement with the South Sudan Democratic Movement/Army, together with the Cobra Faction. This peaceful agreement ushered in a localized governance with the core objective of addressing the pressing ethnic grievances that led these tribes to war. These ethnic issues have significantly affected the Pibor and Pochalla counties in the Jonglei state. This led to the creation of the Pibor administrative area.
The Jonglei state was dominated by the Dinka tribe in administrative power. The other tribes, like the Murle, Jie, and others, were the minority. These minority tribes saw inequality in administrative power, where they were excluded from politics. Ethnic tensions from resource allocation and border conflict ignited the spark that fuelled the armed insurgency.
In 2015, about a year after the Pibor administrative area was established, it was dissolved by the central South Sudan government after it created the Boma state. The ethnic rivalries did not end with the formation of the Pibor administrative area, not even when some of the top heads of the Cobra Faction were made administrators. Underlying factors like the failed disarmament programs further increased the tension and instability in this region.
By February 2020, the Boma state was dissolved after the signing of another peace agreement with new objectives, and the Pibor administrative area was reinstated and reconstituted. Following the statistics of the 2021 census, the Pibor administrative area has an estimated population of approximately 790,147 people.
Boma and Pibor are the major towns in the Pibor administrative area and are considered the most developed. This is attributed to the incredible infrastructure that attracts many people to this area, such as schools, health centers, and trading centers like markets. These towns are a symbol of the future transformation of this administrative area into a modern, peaceful city.
Away from the political and internal conflicts of the Pibor administrative area, this area offers a whole new look and sets the bar high for adventure. The most unfortunate thing about South Sudan and its foundational states is that the tourism potential is hidden under the visa for war and ethnic conflict. But this is why we are here, writing to clear the air for future exploration and adventure about what the Pibor administrative area offers.
Home to Boma National Park
At the sound of Boma National Park, many would seem surprised since not much has been written about the Pibor administrative area. Boma National Park is the iconic destination of South Sudan, hidden in the heart of this administrative area. This park was established in 1977 and spans about 22,800 square kilometers.
Boma National Park hosts the largest animal migration on earth, with an estimated over 6 million animals participating. This migration is usually comprised of antelopes, including gazelles, kobs, tiang, and Bohor reedbucks, among others. This migration is the major attraction in this park and puts this administrative area of Pibor up for exploration.
In a move to expand tourism through conservation and the protection of national parks, the South Sudan government signed a partnership with African Parks. This has therefore transformed the exploration journey of the Pibor administrative area in particular, since it hosts the Boma National Park.
Boma National Park forms an important ecological system with Bandingilo National Park, similar to that of Serengeti National Park and the Masai Mara National Reserve. This ecosystem is a partner of the Great Nile Migration, the largest mammal migration in the world. It may not have the recognition it deserves, but it is surely remarkable. Approximately 6 million mammals, mainly antelopes, cross the Sudd wetland to the permanent water reserves in Boma National Park.
Accessing the Pibor administrative area
Getting to the Pibor administrative area is judged by distance from the capital city of South Sudan, Juba. As this may come as a surprise, the Pibor administrative area can be accessed by both road and air. This area, located in the far eastern region of the country, spans the border with Ethiopia.
This means traveling by road can take you about 17 hours of straight driving from Juba. This is not just because of how far the Pibor administrative area is from the capital, but also because of the condition of the main connecting road, which is marram. As driving may be the cheapest means to access this area, it can, however, in the long run, be the most expensive route due to time.
Traveling by means of air transport is the quickest and most expensive. However, it cuts the travel time to just 1½ – 2 hours. This concludes that the Pibor administrative area is easily accessed by flight.
Staying in the Pibor administrative area
African Parks addresses the accommodation question in the Pibor administrative area. This is evident since this organization provides accommodation camps for visitors to better explore this area and have an adventure. The African Parks camps are located in the areas of Nyati and Morua.
Conclusively, through trusted sources like the Kinyeti Safaris, the Pibor administrative area gains a new face by providing a way for exploration and witnessing its unique adventures, such as the Great Nile Migration. Through responsible travel, visitors can visit the Morule villages to have a cultural immersion in the unique tribes of South Sudan.