The meeting, held in Juba on Thursday, was part of Adut’s consultations following her recent appointment by President Salva Kiir.
She congratulated Governor Riek Gai for his leadership role and received a detailed briefing on the political, security, and humanitarian situation in Jonglei State.
In her remarks, Adut underscored the importance of sustaining peace in one of South Sudan’s most volatile regions.
She reaffirmed the government’s unwavering support for legitimate authorities, noting that her office will work to enhance coordination on key programs aimed at fostering unity, reconciliation, and development.
Governor Riek Gai described the discussions as “productive and forward-looking.” He said state authorities are committed to consolidating peace and addressing the long-standing challenges facing communities in Jonglei, ranging from intercommunal violence to displacement caused by floods.
He further welcomed Adut’s planned visit to Bor, the state capital, in the near future, saying it would provide an opportunity for direct engagement with local leaders and citizens.
The envoy’s appointment to the Special Programs docket has been widely viewed as a significant step toward strengthening cross-sectoral coordination on national objectives, particularly those with international dimensions such as peacebuilding, humanitarian response, and development partnerships.
Observers say her engagement with Jonglei’s leadership signals a renewed push from Juba to reinforce state-level efforts in stabilizing conflict-affected regions while advancing the broader national agenda of peace and unity.
