Warrap welcomes creation of 28 states, urges support for implementation

October 4, 2015 (JUBA) – Authorities in Warrap state, home of President Salva Kiir have welcomed a republican order dividing the country into 28 states and called to support it without reservation.

“This is a historic decision which the president has made and he should be congratulated and support in its implementation. Devolution of powers and creating more administrative units has been the demand the people for a very long time,” said Akec Tong Aleu, caretaker governor of Warrap when he was reached by Sudan Tribune to comment on the presidential order.

Aleu further said the president acted in the interest of people when he gave them the power to manage their own affairs adding “It is the right decision in the right direction at the right time”.

He called to launch a campaign to raise to explain the new territorial administrative changes and to encourage people to adhere to its spirit, pointing to the need to change negative attitude and to adapt to changing situation and innovation.

“The countries which have developed in the world today went through the same challenges we are going through but they managed to turn their challenges into opportunities and they developed to the level where they are today,” he argued.

The South Sudanese president said he made the decision to give the power to the people in the states for better services delivery and development. Also he criticized the current system which he said retained people’s powers in the centre for 10 years.

However, the SPLM-in Opposition slammed the presidential order and said it intends to derail the peace agreement reached last August ending over 20-month long conflict in the country.

The opposition regretted that this reform was not discussed with the signatories or delayed to the constitution making process during the interim period. Also, they underlined the serious implications on implementation of the agreement.

“Salva Kiir’s unilateral decree would open up the peace agreement for further vicious cycle of renegotiation. It would have serious implications on the agreed administrative and institutional structures, as well as representation, because it would alter major provisions in the peace deal,” said James Dak the spokesperson of the SPLM-IO leader on Saturday.

(ST)