Former governor urges Equatorians to work for S. Sudan unity
Jan 4, 2006 (NAIROBI) — Former governor of Western Equatoria State, who was ousted form his post for incitement to tribal conflict, called Southern Sudanese to remain committed for the unity of the South and to work for development.
In a meeting of Western Equatoria communities in Nairobi on 17 December, Col. Patrick Raphael Zamoi, stated that despite the way he was removed, people must continue working for the development of the state and South Sudan. Zamoi said that the only way to help the South to develop is for people to work together and remain united.
Zamoi said that his vision for Western Equatoria and ultimately for the South had been to improve security and create job opportunities for the people and foster development.
He also mentioned that no one should take the event which led to his house arrest and removal as the end of that promises and he will to continue to champion the SPLM liberation struggle for the South Sudan and Western Equatoria.
Zamoi said he is willing to continue working for the people of Western Equatoria despite being dismissed from the post of governor in June.
The former governor also explain his success with security issues while in office stating that he had set up four priorities to do when coming to power and security was number one. He explained how he brought 5 states to participate in reconciliation and peace building in Yambio which was a success. All was before even budget came out and when e budget came out he had only two months and he was removed as people all know it.
The Governor thanked the masses of Southern Sudan who supported him during his ordeal and said this is an example of how the South will one day have a brighter future.
Zamoi met the Western Equatoria communities in Nairobi during a funeral rite for one of the WES elder,late Saturino Salim, who died in Khartoum on December 11, 2006. The meeting was addressed also by
Eng. Charles Kisanga, Chairman of the Azande World-wide Community.
Eng Kisanga highlighted some of the problems of bad Governance in Juba such as corruption, injustice, marginalisation, tribalism and insecurity and a lack of improvement in the lives of the people.
Kisanga also reiterated the fact that Western Equatoria and even the whole of Equatoria are denied the powerful positions in government such as Defence, Finance, Interior, and Foreign affairs. The holding of these key International recognized powerful ministries by one single tribe is an example of tribalism because other Southern tribes are not trusted to hold these key positions.
Following the speeches members of WES community and others from different tribes including non-Western Equatoria lined up to greet the leaders and to congratulate them for taking a firm stand against the bad governance in Juba and in GoNU which is letting the South Sudan people down.
A major result of meeting is that people suggested other big meeting of all South Sudanese communities in Nairobi and in other parts of the world which can be addressed by Eng Charles Kisanga and other SPLM members for change leaders as the people are eager to hear there are people in SPLM who subscribe to an alternative way of doing things which can bring about rapid improvement in the lives of South Sudan ordinary citizens; eradicating corruption, clanism, tribalism, marginalisation, insecurity, and injustice while fostering unity and reconciliation.
The former governor of Western Equatoria State, Col. Patrick Zamoi, was suspended by a Government of South Sudan (GoSS) presidential decree no. 42, on June 15th, 2006. He was placed under house arrest.. Zamoi was accused of corruption and incitement to tribal conflict.
(ST)