NBGS: Governor calls to promote unity of local leaders
June 13, 2010 (JUBA) — The Governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Paul Malong Awan Anei, has on Saturday called on local artists to increase efforts to promote peace and unity amongst local leaders in the state.
Governor Anei was addressing the significant crowd gathered at Aweil Freedom Square to officiate the launching of a local band dubbed as “Aweil Jazz band” and handing over financial support for the band , collectively raised for the purchase of musical equipments by the citizens of Northern Bahr el Ghazal at home and in the Diaspora.
He called on musicians to never deviate from their chosen career, reminding them that their choice is their decision. He also recognized the importance of musicians in any given society.
“Whatever field one has decided to take as a career is his/her choice, I will be with you anytime you need my assistance,” said Governor Anei.
Governor Anei is also reported to have called on artists to never accept influence in their careers.
“If you need to be a national or international star, never create room for tribal influence in your career developments. Never allow your clan members to influence your professional thoughts and never use your clan or sect as an identity to seek your professional growth,” added Governor Anei.
He observed that understanding and respecting cultures of people is a key element for development, unity and happiness. Maintaining the culture of the people is more important than any other value.
He devoted a section of his speech to the Diaspora when he called on them to be ambassadors of their cultures and to represent their region.
Robert Majok Kuol, a youth activist and an official in the state administration said Governor Anei has called on people to forget the past and forgive each other.
He added that “Everyone should reconcile. Differences created by elections should be forgotten and forgive one another for peace, unity and development
Kuol further quoted Governor Anei reiterating that security in the area remains one of his top priorities and has asked people to get ready for the referendum and participate in large numbers than they did in past political events like the census and the elections.
“Let’s be prepared for the referendum. When you are registered you must vote this time,” he added. However, his critics argued that Governor Malong said one thing and does the other. He hardly keeps promises. He is talking of promotion of peace, forgiveness, reconciliation and unity yet 13 supporters of independent candidates are still under detention in Aweil.
Others have been dismissed from their jobs for having exercised their democratic right to vote for candidates of their choice during the elections without reason.
“My father who is a chief has been suspended indefinitely because I went to the polls independently,” said Dr. Dhieu Mathok Diing Wol.
“If he needs peace, he should first and foremost release supporters of the independent candidates and other political parties to validate his call for forgiveness and reconciliations,” he adds.
Governor Anei is seriously consulting with members of his political party to form his new cabinet hopefully in the coming few days. He is reported to have received communications from the President of Southern Sudan to consider forming a representative government to end political differences created by the elections.
His government is therefore expected to include faces from SPLM members who turned independents after failing to secure the approval of their candidatures by SPLM’s political bureau in January. They have demanded the appointment of the deputy-governor, two county commissioners and at least two or one minister from their camps in the state cabinet.
(ST)
Mike Mike
NBGS: Governor calls to promote unity of local leaders
What was said by the governor is actually true there is no need of still dividing ourselves meanwhile the election has already got finished and it is time to reconcile to one another and work togather to makesure we achieved what we need for our lives. If it is true some people are still in the prison now and the reason is about the past election then those who done that have did a great mistake and general Paul Malong has to open up all his eyes this time to prevent those havoc not to happen again in the community. And to be a elected democratic leader is when you treat people equitably though they never vote to him all and he has just achieved the victory he should then avoid the intimadation not to exist again in the community. I assume to be those of security organs who are still arresting people and i think mr. governor has no knowledge about what is going on around and i hope if he heard that people are still being arrested outside by his name i don,t think that he will keep quite without saying any thing to those wrong doers.