Sudan’s Jonglei Speaker call youth to work for unity
Philip Thon Aleu
February 11, 2008 (BOR, Jonglei) – In an area full of misunderstanding and instability, in
Jonglei state, among individuals, ages and communities, the speaker of legislative Assembly called youth to work together for better future.
Addressing a youth rally on Friday 9, 2008 at Bor town Freedom square, Judy Boyris, the speaker of the state assembly wondered who benefits from insecurity, unstable minds and disunity!
“Without unity, there is no development,” said Boyris, stressing that cattle keepers should be left alone or else they are misleading Jonglei, the state he described as “leading Southern Sudan.”
He also acknowledged Bor town as the state headquarters. “Bor has a vast land and everyone can be settled here.” He praised the governor for bring a little peace and should work hard, hand-in-hand, with the state authorities to make Jonglei a better state.
The themes of the rally were: Peace building, Unity, Reconciliation, Gender development and HIV/Aids awareness.
The rally, conducted by youth, is the first since peace returned to Sudan three years ago and thus, attracted the governor and all high ranking officials of the state. Jonglei Youth Association (JoYA) was launched on 15 December 2007 by former governor, Philip Thon Leek and funded by State Ministry of Social Development.
The governor argued youth to bring other members on boat for complete JoYA. “There are many youth outside there but do not what to do and when?” Kuol encouraged youth adapts other ways of getting funds than begging the government. “When you come to my office, asking for money, where I do get it? All state budget is made according to the ministries,” he lamented.
“JoYA has its office built and a lot of computers,” Solomon Pur, the chairman of the association disclosed in what he said is a faster movement of the body he chairs. Many associations are not ‘practical’ but ‘theoretical’ in Jonglei and Southern Sudan at large, a section of youth believe so.
“Today they call you for a meeting to decide on how to be united and tomorrow you hear of new clashes between clans, led by youth,” said chol Abraham a member of Bor Youth and students Association (BOYSA) when contacted by Sudan Tribune.
However, JoYA is exceptional, because it brings Jonglei under one board and funded by state government.
(ST)