Dinka elders welcome appointment of 28 state governors
December 28, 2015 (JUBA) – The Dinka council of elders, a group of influential politicians, political allies and relatives of South Sudan president Salva Kiir has welcomed the dissolution of the country’s constitutionally-recognised 10 states and the subsequent expansion to the states to 28 as well as appointment of their new governors.
“The council welcomes and congratulates the president and the people of South Sudan on the appointment of the new governors in accordance with the recommendation and decision of the legislature”, the statement reads in part.
The group argued that creation and establishment of more institutions in the country, will now help in the extension of the delivery of services and presence of senior government officials closer to the people than it had been during the system establishing previously three administrative system or 10 states under the rule of successive administrations run by Khartoum-based regimes from which South Sudan seceded in 2011.
Last week, Kiir decreed the appointment of governors for the 28 states he created in October. The decree, read on the state-owned SSTV, saw 21 new and seven old faces.
The new appointments, the president said, takes immediate effect from 24 December.
Those new governors are Natisio Loluke Manir (Imatong), Louise Lobong Lojore (Namurnyang), Africano Monday (Maridi), Joseph Pachiko (Amadi), Patrick Raphael Zamoi (Gbudwe), Augustino Jadalla (Jubek), Juma Ali Malou (Terekeka), David Lokonga Moses (Yei River county), Elias Waya Nyipouch (Wau), Ronald Ruai Deng (Aweil), Rizik Zachariah Hassan (Lol), Deng Deng Akuei (Aweil East) and Bona Biar for Twic states.
Others include, Abraham Gum Makuach (Gogrial), Akech Tong Aleu (Tonj), Ring Tueny Mabol (Eastern Lakes), Abraham Makoi Bol (Western Lakes), Madang Majok Meen (Gok), Joseph Monytuil (Northern Lich), Teker Riek Dong (Southern Lich), Mayol Kur (Kweng), Philip Aguer Panyang (Jonglei), William Othon Awer (Western Nile), Chol Thon Balok (Eastern Nile), James Kok Ruai (Western Bieh), Peter Bol Kong Nguoth (Eastern Bieh), Peter Lam Buoth (Latjor) and Baba Medan Konyi for the newly established Boma state.
In October, President Kiir established 28 states through an order, cited as “The Establishment Order No. 36/2015 AD for the creation of the new South Sudan states”.
“The fundamental objectives of the order states that; it will devolve power and resource closer to the people, gradually reduce size of national government, attracts experts to work at the state and counties level and promote social and economic development amongst the rural communities”, the 3 October 2015 order read in part.
The armed opposition faction (SPLM-IO) led by former vice president, Riek Machar earlier rejected the creation of 28 states by President Kiir, describing the move as a violation of the August peace agreement, which came into effect based on the 10 states.
The South Sudanese parliament, however, empowered President Kiir in November to create more states and appoint governors as well as some state lawmakers.
There were mixed reactions to the appointment of the new state governors. Proponents argue that the president respected the will of the people, but the opposition described it as a setback to the peace accord to end nearly two years of the nation’s violent conflict.
(ST).