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Sudan Tribune

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Select Committee formed to investigate Warrap governor

By Isaac Vuni

February 9, 2009 (JUBA) – The governor of Warrap state faced sharp criticism and allegations during a hearing on insecurity in the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly.

A select committee was formed to investigate insecurity in Warrap state. According to an allegation tabled by Hon. Wol Atak, the governor collected 50 bulls monthly for feeding SPLA soldiers despite a huge sum of budget allotted by parliament for soldiers’ upkeep. Atak wondered openly where the budget has gone.

Outrage surrounded allegations that the governor continues to be absent lodging in luxury hotels at the expense of the state while food insecurity caused 500,000 grain bags to be sent to alleviate hunger in the state.

However, Governor Tor Deng Mayien denied having refused to appear before the Assembly. Regarding cattle raids, he revealed that on June 13, 2008, 63 youth from Kongor raided 1,500 cattle from one man of Unity state. He also denied having knowledge on the alleged rape carried out on four primary school children and women by soldiers in Warrap.

On the other hand, Hon. Stephen Ajongo accused the governor of deliberate denial and lying on what took place in Warrap state.

Hon. Peter Bashir Gbandi observed that the issue of insecurity troubled the Assembly a lot as the Government of Southern Sudan recently entered its fourth year since its founding in 2005 in accordance with the terms of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

He said that insecurity remains a major threat in nearly the whole of the ten southern states; therefore, he said, it would be inappropriate to defend governors and ministers who have failed to deliver services to people of south whom they are entrusted to guide. Moreover, the types of guns being used in Warrap for killing innocent people are new AK-47, cautioned Hon. Gbandi.

Adding that the South is bleeding in every part, he labeled the governors as inefficient.

But the governor of Warrap claimed that the population needed disarmament, an argument dismissed by Hon. Atak, who elucidated that people in the state were disarmed and a total of 581 guns were collected while people including even constitutional post-holders find it difficult to meet the governor.

The Assembly had also summoned the ministers of Interior and SPLA Affairs, Lakes State Governor Daniel Awet Akot, Jonglei State Governor Kuol Manyang Juk, Eastern Equatoria State Governor Alosio Emor Ojetuk, Central Equatoria State Governor Clement Wani Konga and Western Equatoria State Governor Jemma Nunu Kumba.

Hon. Barri Wanji demanded to know where was the Minister of Interior who had previously been summoned four times but who never appears before lawmakers despite parliament’s approval to his ministry of $6000 for equipping police to protect and maintain orders in Southern Sudan.

Prompted by the absence of the Minister of Interior and the Governor of Central Equatoria, the Speaker of the Assembly directed the Parliamentary Affairs Minister to find out through public security why they have not responded.

Yet the Minister of Legal Affairs informed the House that the Minister of Interior was on an official security mission, to which the Speaker said he had not written an official letter indicating why he could not attend the hearing today before 110 legislators.

Regarding withdrawal of confidence in the governor, Minister Michael Mkuei Lueth of Legal Affairs and Constitutional Development advised lawmakers that they are not competent to impeach the governor even though they may remove a minister of GOSS. Lueth stressed that it is the responsibility of President Salva Kiir Mayardit to remove and replace the accused governor.

(ST)

17 Comments

  • Nuer
    Nuer

    Select Committee formed to investigate Warrap governor
    This is a good example that shows the two Nuer states of Unity State and Upper Nile as having stability compared to those coward Dinkas states where they are slaughtering each other everyday like goats. Where are the Dinkas now? Don’t this prove their primitive behavior as cowards who do not know what the meaning of SPLM is.

    Dinkas are the most primitive people in southern Sudan and cowards. They depend on other tribes to fight the cause of their SPLM as they spend more of their times stealing money to neighboring countries. SPLM days are number. After SPLM is dead, I encourage all of the Dinkas to come to SSDF and be registered. But, before all Dinkas are registered, they must change their names to Gatluak before their other names to give them some type of identity so that they fit in. Nyadeng is welcome to register if she want.

    Until the Dinka cowards stopping talking negatively about the naath nation, I’ll never stop. I’m monitoring the site from the distance and the more I’ll see Dinkas representing the naath nation positively, that’s the day I’ll stop talking about Nyadeng. I’m monitor the site. Dinkas start portraying the naath nation positively and I’ll stop. Good morning from Downtown Kampala.

    Reply
  • Akol Liai Mager
    Akol Liai Mager

    Select Committee formed to investigate Warrap governor
    “SPLM days are numbered” may be right, but SPLM has done more than John the Baptist. So, the coming body will find that all routes are prepared and useable.

    Yes, there are cowards, evils and traitors here and there, but the very fact is that non of the guys being described have no tribe, race, community or family. They act individually and holding Tribes or communities responsible for their acts does not reflect justice, norm or sense.

    All people are different even children of one mum are so. For the reason that people are different, I would like to advise my fellow tribal warriors to look for communication books to read. “Why Don’t People Listen” book of Hugh Mackay and “The Power of Intention” book of Dr Wayne Dyer will be the good ones to start with. Doing just that will give you an idea that people are different.

    My today comment does not in anyway, contradict my previous ones where I mentioned these words “Arabs and Muslims”

    When I mention those two words, I am only paraphrasing to the few northerners who have hijacked Arab and Islam.

    My apology in advance if my comment is to hurt anyone which is not my intention.

    Reply
  • Gatwech
    Gatwech

    Select Committee formed to investigate Warrap governor
    Hello Warrap state,

    Don’t let down the efforts of President Kiir last year when he successfully reconciled your clans in the conference that took place in Warrap. All of your chiefs and elders present at that time resolved to stop and not repeat the fighting among themselves. What is wrong with those resolutions now?

    SSLA, it is good that you as parliamentarians are waking up now to deal with the insecurity issues, though it could be because your elections are near. But keep that up. Don’t just see impeachement of governors as the only option, go deep into the system and its chain to detect where things go wrong. Support the intensity of peace and reconciliation conferences as well as disarmament of civilians. It is very unfortunate that citizens of Warrap were given new AK-47s by whoever just to butcher themselves. They should not seek to make things worse either by stealing cattle from Unity state, because that might lead to retaliatory attacks by the citizens of Unity state, which can bring more devastations. Let all peace lovers spring up every where in South Sudan to make peace among our communities. We are entering a very dangerous period of time, politically and seasonally. Unity is strength!!!

    Reply
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