Greater Bahr el Ghazal calls for conference to discuss country’s situation
May 12, 2013 (JUBA) –The four states of the Greater Bahr el Ghazal region have called for their intellectuals and senior political leaders to report themselves to Wau, the former regional capital and current state capital of Western Bahr el Ghazal, to discuss challenges facing the region and the country.
States of the former Bahr el Ghazal region include Lakes, Warrap, Northern and Western Bahr el Ghazal.
The host governor, Rizik Zachariah Hassan, has travelled to Juba and briefed the President of the Republic, Salva Kiir Mayardit, who also hails from Warrap, on the ongoing preparations to hold the extraordinary conference.
In a statement broadcast on the state-owned South Sudan TV on Saturday, Hassan disclosed that the five-day conference will take place from 15-20 May 2013.
Hassan did not elaborate on the agenda of the conference, which will take place days after the Greater Equatoria region concluded its two-day regional conference in Juba on Thursday where they addressed national concerns, including the ongoing transformation and transition processes in the ruling party.
Officials told Sudan Tribune that the Bahr el Ghazal regional conference will cover issues to do with politics, security and economy of the country.
The unfolding approach on regional groupings are a concern, officials say, because they may create unconstitutional regional political blocs based on the defunct system of governance introduced in early 1980s, but abolished in early 1990s when the former Sudan was still one country.
Formerly South Sudan was divided into greater regions of Upper Nile, Equatoria and Bahr el Ghazal. It currently has a decentralized system with ten states and a national government as the highest authority.
GREATER EQUATORIA CALLS FOR FEDERAL SYSTEM OF GOVERNANCE
Meanwhile the Greater Equatoria region conference has passed a resolution demanding implementation of a federal system in the country.
The conference, attended by the three governors of Central, Eastern and Western Equatoria states as well as other senior political leaders, civil society organisations and youth groups, also called on the security organs to maintain security in the country.
They also called for a fair and peaceful politics in the ruling party, particularly that the upcoming national convention will confirm the current leaders or elect a new leader for the party.
The regional Equatorians conference also strongly appealed to the president, Salva Kiir, to extend his general amnesty to their son and former rebel, Peter Abdel Rahaman Sule.
Sule was former national minister in Juba and chairman of the United Democratic Front (UDF) party.
He rebelled against the government last year but his rebellion was nipped in the bud as security forces identified and destroyed his newly established base in Western Equatoria state. The clashes resulted to his capture in action while a number of soldiers and officers died on both sides.
He has been in the custody of the security organs in Juba, prompting the Greater Equatoria region conference to appeal for his release and benefit from the general amnesty declared by the president.
Last week, a group of about 3,000 rebels in Unity state responded to the presidential amnesty and declared their intention to rejoin the South Sudan army.
The rebels led by Maj. Gen. Bapiny Wijang, crossed from neighbouring Sudan, where they got support and brought with them 100 military trucks, some mounted with heavy artillery.
Maj. Gen. Bapiny Wijang is currently in Juba after arriving in the capital on Thursday.
Other rebel groups in Upper Nile state under the command of Maj. Gen. John Uliny and in Jonglei state under the command of Maj. Gen. David Yau Yau, have not yet responded positively to the declared amnesty, although their names have appeared in the republican order together with their respective forces.
(ST)