Jonglei Governor vow to skip calls for Sudan’s unity
By Philip Thon Aleu
November 13, 2009 (BOR) – Jonglei Governor Kuol Manyang Juuk says in
Bor on Thursday he “will never attempts to convince” southerners to
prefer unity comes 2011 because the presidency of the Republic of the
Sudan has failed to make unity attractive.
Jonglei remain without roads.
“We can not move to many areas in Jonglei state throughout the year
because there are no roads,” Gov. Kuol says adding that the state can
not afford funding roads projects.
“Only three counties are accessible in a year and other counties are
accessible during dry seasons – which last only three months,” Gov.
Kuol noted in response to a Juba based journalist asking what steps
the State government is taking to minimize insecurity and engaged
local people in productive activities.
Gov. Kuol then swiftly handed down the blames on the presidency saying
“I’m not happy with the policy of the government [of national unity]”
in reference to funding of national projects including roads
construction in the south.
“Are we not part of the Sudan?” Gov. Kuol stressed adding “the
presidency is the body shoulder with development so that unity is made
attractive. If referendum [day] comes, I never attempt to convince the
people to choose unity,” he says but fell short to call for separation
but adds “because I nothing to tell them.”
The 2005 peace accord – the comprehensive peace agreement (CPA)
between the former rebels; the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement
(SPLM) and Sudan’s ruling party, the NCP, grants referendum to
southern Sudanese to choose either separation or confirming the unity
of Africa’s largest nation in January 2011. The Government of National
Unity (GoNU) – also part of agreement, was formed with SPLM presented
at levels of governments including the presidency. However, the former
guerilla fighters in the SPLM that govern the semi-autonomous south in
Juba always complain of under funding from NCP dominated GoNU.
But at the wake of voter registration leading to national polls in
April, 2010, SPLM leaders started beating drums seen as leading the
country to a spilt. The SPLM Chairman Salva Kiir Mayardit’s reference
to Dr. John Garang’s word of choice between unity and separation on
October 30, 2009 at a church in Juba caused panic and criticism in
Khartoum among northern authorities who believe unity is still
attainable.
“If you want to vote for unity so that you will become a second class
citizen in your own country, that is your choice. If you would want to
vote for independence so that you are a free person in your
independent state, that will be your own choice,” South Sudan
President Kiir said adding “we will respect it.”
VOTER REGISTRATION ROW
On voter registration in Jonglei state, Gov. Kuol told reporters on
Thursday that “registration is very bad.”
In particular, Pigi County is yet to start the exercise leading to
next year’s polls. The northern county is rocked with internal
disputes over constituency allocation and conflicts with neighboring
Shilluk ethnic group from Upper Nile state. At least 2 people died in
the latest clashes between Pigi and Shilluk tribesmen – one on both
side, a source told the Sudan Tribune.
Gov. Kuol calls on Southern Sudan authorities to intervene since
Shilluk – Pigi conflict is inter-state problem.
Most areas could not be reached by roads, voter registration officers
move long distances, Gov, Kuol says. On the other hand, cattle keepers
are “highly mobile” making tracing their resident hard.
(ST)