The embattled Bishop Akurdit returned to Bor with authorization from the president’s office to continue his responsibilities.

Ruben Akurdid Ngong, the controversial Bishop of Jonglei Internal Province, arrived in Bor this morning for the first time since January, stating he had been allowed to resume his ecclesiastical responsibilities.

Following tensions between their followers in January, the controversial church leader and his rival clergyman, Moses Anur, were transferred to Juba.

The Primate of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan, Justin Badi Arama, ousted Akurdid in 2020 and replaced him with Bishop Moses Anur as Archbishop of Jonglei Internal Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Bor.

Bishop Akurdid, on the other hand, denied his dismissal and exiled Anur, alleging he had been dismissed unjustly.

Akurdid’s press secretary, Philip Maluak, explained to the press the media this morning that the President’s office has given him permission to resume his responsibilities.

“The Archbishop has been told to return to Bor and continue his usual responsibilities,” Maluak stated.

Archbishop Justin Badi, Primate of the Episcopal Church, has sought the assistance of the country’s authorities after a quarrel with Akurdid threatened to split the state’s faithful.

According to Bishop Akurdid’s friend, his employer was found not guilty of the dramatic power struggles in the Bor Church.

“When the committee arrived in Bor to collect information on the underlying source of the crisis, they discovered that Bishop Akurdid was not guilty.” “He was genuinely acting in accordance with his duties as internal archbishop,” claimed Bishop Akurdid’s Spokesperson.

On the other hand, the ECSS headquarters has declared his return to Bor unlawful.

“Because it is not an official visit, I cannot remark…

We are completely unaware of it. We cannot discuss it since it is unlawful. “We will make a statement when the time comes,” Provincial Secretary Reverend Peter Garang explained.

The President’s Office has yet to comment on the situation.

Meanwhile, a statement signed by Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin, Minister of Presidential Affairs, reads: “This is to testify that the Archbishop of Jonglei Internal Province and Diocese of Bor, Rev’d Reuben Akurdid Ngong Akurdid,

“President Salva has permitted me to fly to Bor since the answers to the continuing crisis mediation within the Episcopal of South Sudan have yet to be realized.”