Corruption, Tribalism hindering Central Equatoria progress, says SSDF

By Julius N. Uma

April 8, 2010 (JUBA) — Central Equatoria State (CES) would have been very far in terms of economic development, but its progress is still being hampered by several economic misdeeds arising from corruption, nepotism and tribalism practices, South Sudan Democratic Forum (SSDF) Governor Designate, Ayine Richard Simon Nigo said yesterday.

The SSDF flag bearer made these remarks while speaking during a half-day Candidate Forum meant to connect candidates with voters, which was organized by the International Republican Institute (IRI), a political think tank that advances democracy worldwide. The event was aimed at bringing together all the various CES candidates for governorship.

Asked what strategies he intends to apply in the fight against corruption, the youthful Ayine emphasized the need for economic transformation; a mechanism he believes will address the numerous economic challenges within the state.

“Economic transformation should be at the forefront of our political agenda. In that way, we shall simultaneously address the various state problems especially those related to locally generated revenue,” the SSDF candidate told a visibly excited audience gathered at the Juba-based Nyakuron Cultural Center yesterday.

Mainly cheered by the youth chanting slogans of change, Mr. Ayine outlined issues like insecurity, delay in teachers’ salaries, maternal mortality health problems, high illiteracy levels, nepotism and tribalism as some of the major setbacks to CES development, thus needed immediate redress.

“Unless you change the entire administration within the state, you will never become economically liberated in this state,” he said.

In a related development, United Democratic Forum’s (UDF), Peter Abdul Rahaman Sule said much as leaders dwelled on developmental issues, confidence needed to be built into the population on how to approach the forthcoming 2011 referendum.

The IRI organized forum, which was mainly characterized by chants of “South Sudan Independence”, intended to host all the various candidates contesting for the position of Governorship in CES.

However, by press time, the incumbent Clement Wani Konga and the independent Alfred Ladu Gore had not yet arrived, albeit expected.

(ST)