Upper Nile governor appoints members of minority groups in elders board
June 17, 2008 (MALAKAL) – The Governor of Upper Nile State, Major General, Gatluak Deng Garang, has appointed today two representatives of minority groups to the State council of elders.
Governor Garang has issued, on Tuesday, an executive order appointing Mrs. Bwara Joshua Okwachi and Mr. Taha Belal to the membership of Upper Nile Council of Elders.
Formed last May, the Council, an advisory board, is mandated to provide counsel on the issues pertaining to reconciliation among various communities in the State, encourage greater integration, unity and better relations between people from different ethnic groups.
In a statement press statement the governor considered this move as “a milestone in gender and minority’s equality in the State.”
“The Governor is reminding all the citizens of the State that he is keeping the promise of making his administration as inclusive and representative of all the sons and daughters of Upper Nile as possible.” Gatluak further said.
He also urged all the intellectuals of Upper Nile to volunteer in various development programs and activities in order to promote the participation of all the local social forces in the state development and strengthen cohesion.
The members of the council are : 1. Mr. Daniel Koat Mathews, 2. Mr. James Bol Kalmal, 3. Mr. Peter Mabil Riak, 4. Mr. Muma Tiger Pano, and 5. Mr. Arenk Ador Padiet.
(ST)
James Okuk Solomon
Upper Nile governor appoints members of minority groups in elders board
The title of this news is misleading. Who are the minority Groups? Are they the Malakiyeen (the Muslims of Malakal town whose mothers are Southerners but whose fathers are Non-Southerners)or are they the Women or are they the Collo (Shilluk) tribe? It is a fact that the Collo are the majority in Upper Nile State because all of them are within that State and not in any other state. So it is a mistake to call them a minority. Though the Governor Gatlwak Deng is trying his best to unite and harmonize the people of Upper Nile State, I doubt his sincerity because he is a die-hard of the NCP who do not want the South to get Separated as an independent African State. Based on this analysis, I advice the people of Upper Nile to be cautious with H.E, Gatlwak’s tactics for gaining supporters for 2009 elections where the NCP will continue to control Upper Nile State after it was sold to them by the SPLM three years ago. Even if SPLM is failing the people of South Sudan, NCP cannot be a better alternative because they are working hard to abort the hopes of Southerners in 2011.