Twic East’s ‘missing’ district hampers humanitarian response
November 6, 2014 (JUBA) – Community leaders in Twic East county’s Lith payam (district) have petitioned the Jonglei state government to formally recognise their locality in order to facilitate humanitarian assistance.
The district does not appear on maps of South Sudan, Jonglei state or Twic East county.
In a letter addressed to Jonglei’s minister of local government and law enforcement and seen by Sudan Tribune, 11 Lith leaders condemned the omission.
“The undersigned and the entire people of Lith payam strongly condemn the omission of our payam headquarters, its bomas (sub-districts) and villages,” the letter reads in part.
Lith is among five payams in Twic East county, first established in 2000.
None of its five sub-districts of Mabior, Pabarchikok, Kiir, Ameer and Dong, or its headquarters is Wernyol, are included on maps of the region.
“In the light of this omission, the entire community is not happy, given historical wars caused by land disputed in Twic East county,” the letter states.
REPERCUSSIONS OF MISSING DISTRICT
Lith leaders, including traditional chief Awai Ajang Awi, said omitting the district on maps would have severe repercussions on the region’s population of 25,000.
According to the letter, which was signed by five traditional chiefs and various youth leaders, the government typically provides maps to NGOs and UN agencies and that the omission meant Lith had repeatedly been overlooked for humanitarian aid.
Community leaders also fear they have lost their legal right as citizens of South Sudan.
“Lith payam, not being on the maps, does not get humanitarian assistance in time of crisis,” the letter said, also signed by five traditional chiefs and various youth leaders.
Community leaders have expressed their willingness to resolve the matter amicably.
“We express our readiness and commitment to ensure that the omissions are corrected in a peaceful and serene manner,” they said.
Other payams within Twic East county which are recognised on official maps include Kongor, Paker, Nyuak and Ajuong.
Attempts by Sudan Tribune to contact Jonglei state’s ministry of local government, which oversees administrative issues, for comment were unsuccessful.
(ST)