W. Yiorl Commissioner lauds harmonious relationship with neighbouring counties
By Manyang Mayom
Mayl 5, 2011 (RUMBEK) – The commissioner of Yirol West county of Lakes state, Makur Kulang Liei, in an interview with Sudan Tribune last April from his county, said that the neighbouring counties of Yirol West and Yirol East are maintaining a harmonious relationship since cattle raiding and revenge killings have been brought under control through a peaceful approach with community leaders and the youth in the region.
Kulang who was born in Yirol West County and began his service in the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) in 1983, when South Sudan rebels began fighting Khartoum. The war ended in 2005 with a peace deal that paved the way for southern independence later the year. As part of the deal, former rebels the SPLA, became the south’s official army.
He held the rank of platoon commander at the border of South Sudan as well internal administration in Bahr El Ghazal during the war period. He became commissioner of Yirol West on 16 August 2010.
Kulang said “my relationship with my counterpart Comrade Bullen [Yirol East commissioner] has brought high respect among people of greater Yirol and that is how we achieved peace among our community.”
He explained that “we have conducted three peace conferences between Yirol East and Yirol West to sustain peace and to create a new, peaceful environment for the people of great Yirol,“ said Kulang.
LAND ALLOTMENT
During a controvertial land allocation programme Kulang came under criticism from some citizens who claimed that the land in Yirol Lakes had been allotted to members of the Pan-Nyang ethnic group and those ethnic groups who were displaced them, were not given replacement land.
“On this issue of land, I am not allotting it to my people […] I have no particular people whom I love and favour […] I love them all and I must treat them as equal so they trust me.”
“Our plan is to divide land into two: there will be residential areas and a first class place called Burtit which will be allotted to big people with big houses.” Kulang justified his decision by suggesting Burtit is a place for tourism, officials in the Diaspora.
He also added that as stated in the Lakes state government policy, land must be offered to orphans, widows and disable people.
Kulang said that “I have given 10,000 plots to orphans and widows because they are my fallen heroes – […] I am giving this land for them for free.”
YOUTH
“Of course, I have not done anything for the youth at the moment – the priority has been to maintain security – before that there was insecurity. We are now going to on development and other matters that could make this county employ more youths,” said Kulang.
GENDER BASED VIOLENCE
Across Lakes state, many girls have dropped out in the school due to early marriage and pregnancy. There are reports of forced marriages and girls being beaten because they refuse the husband they are given to across Lakes state but government officials decline to respond to the violence.
According to commissioner Kulang, “There is no gender based violence happening in this county – No woman came to me and told me about any violence committed against them by men”.
HOSPITAL
A hospital official requested not to be named said that “medical supplies are a serious problem that needs to be address correctly by the state government.”
MVOLO AND MAPUORDIT
Clashes between pastoralist of Mapuordit, and farmers in Mvolo (both in Yirol West) has killed least 30 people in what Kulang described as a “baseless conflict.”
“These clashes have no objective – I was commander officer in Mvolo, we form Mvolo task forces to defend people of Mvolo,“ said Kulang.
RETURNEES
Thousands of returnees have been coming from Khartoum and elsewhere in north Sudan since South Sudan voted for separation – however, the living conditions of the returnees is unfavourable in terms of health, education and accommodation.
“I am constructing a guest house. My next plan is to construct county headquarters. The other plan is to link up roads from towns to the villages. We are worried because rain is coming and Anuol village will be cut off. I will not manage to linkup all roads but for Anuol, I will do my best to link it up with the county.”
YIROL SPECIAL COURT
In a letter addressed to the Lakes state governor on 2 April 2011 seen by the press, stated that ‘the special court greater Yirol Counties is now operating in Yirol town since November 2010. There are cases between the Jang and Atuot, but the court is now facing difficulties in execution and the arrest of the culprits and their detention in prison because of the tribalism from the forces. Nothing can be achieved because although the commissioners are cooperating very well, the execution team are not cooperating with this court. For example, one of the prison services has opened the prison at night in March 20, intentionally, and allowed 52 prisoners to escape’.
Unlike Rumbek, in Yirol West county, commissioner Kulang said that “there are no youths sentenced to jail here for having sex with underage girl in Greater Yirol West County. The relatives of these girls have not reported to court “.
INDEPENDENCE
The people of South Sudan have voted for separation during a referendum. All ten states of South Sudan are preparing to celebrate the long awaited day of the independence of the Republic of South Sudan.
Kulang said that “this day is the day we were fighting for – the South Sudan independence from Khartoum – we have to tell ourselves we are southerners.”
He described the recent rebellions against the Government of South Sudan as “shameful” and said that there “are people rebelling because the need wealth and there are people aiming to get a position in the government, this is all nonsense.”
(ST)