Eastern Lakes denies declaring state of emergency

April 12, 2016 (JUBA) – Authorities in newly established Eastern Lake State have issued a statement denying declaring state of emergency in the area.

In statements to Sudan Tribune Tuesday, State Information Minister Nelson Makoi Makur clarified that Governor Rin Tueny did not declare the state of emergency but declare the prevalence of hunger in the state.

“The statement that the governor has declared state emergency is not true and that was not the governor said. He was misquoted,” Makur told Sudan Tribune.

He said the governor declared hunger in eastern Lakes state during a meeting with non-governmental organisations (NGOS) in Awerial County.

He went further to explain that it is not within the constitutional competences of the governor to declare the state of emergency.

South Sudan has been hit by threats of economic collapse coupled with poor harvest and threats of brewing conflicts as the peace agreement signed in August 2015 has not changed the situation on the ground.

(ST)