Dr Riek was received by the Chief Administrator of GPAA, Gola Boyoi Gola, alongside local leaders and community representatives in what officials described as a strong show of unity and cooperation.
Welcoming the delegation, Gola Boyoi Gola, chief administrator of GPAA, underscored the importance of the gathering, describing it as a reflection of a shared commitment to restoring peace and stability between neighbouring communities.
“This meeting demonstrates our collective resolve to work together and address the challenges affecting our people,” he said.
In his remarks, Governor Riek Gai Kok of Jonglei state emphasised that the peace initiative is focused on rebuilding trust and restoring the dignity of communities affected by recurring inter-communal tensions.
“This mission is about restoring the dignity of our people and fostering lasting harmony across Jonglei State and GPAA,” he said. “We must work together to ensure sustainable peace for current and future generations.”
The peace mission has drawn participation from senior government officials and grassroots leaders from both regions.
Among those in attendance are commissioners from Bor, Twic East, Nyirol, Uror, and Duk counties, as well as their counterparts from GPAA.
The Bicbic conference builds on a series of joint peace initiatives previously undertaken by Jonglei State and GPAA to address cycles of violence, cattle raiding, and child abduction.
In recent years, leaders from both regions have engaged in high-level dialogue and grassroots reconciliation processes, including community peace conferences and disarmament campaigns aimed at reducing armed conflict among youth.
Notably, the two administrations have supported the establishment of joint peace committees, cross-border security arrangements, and the promotion of traditional justice mechanisms led by chiefs and elders to resolve disputes.
Efforts have also included coordinated awareness campaigns encouraging the voluntary return of abducted women and children, as well as initiatives to reopen migration routes and local markets to rebuild economic ties between communities.
Despite these efforts, sporadic violence has persisted, underscoring the need for sustained engagement, an issue this latest ICGS-led conference seeks to address.
The conference is scheduled to officially begin on Tuesday in Bicbic, where leaders are expected to deliberate on key issues affecting inter-communal relations, including security concerns, governance structures, and development priorities.
Organisers say the outcomes of the meeting will be critical in shaping long-term strategies for peacebuilding and cooperation between Jonglei State and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area.
