Governor of Western Equqtoria State calls for humanitarian assistance
September 8, 2010 (YAMBIO) — The governor of Southern Sudan’s Western Equatoria state (WES), Bangasi Joseph Bakosoro has called on the international community to pay attention to the plight of civilians in the region bearing the brunt of attacks by the Uganda’s sectarian religious rebel group, the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).
Bangasi made the remark on Wednesday at St. Bakhita Spiritual Center in Yambio County, while opening a three-day regional conference for religious leaders on the impacts of LRA.
Addressing the participants of the conference, Bangasi stated that “LRA atrocities are painful scenarios that call for greater attention, discussion and solutions.”
He added that for the past five years peace has eluded WES as innocent lives are continuing to be lost due to the LRA, who are fighting a war that has “no clear objectives.”
The past five years have been a very challenging time for the people of WES. It is located between northeastern Congo and Central African Republic – the stomping ground of the LRA and the crossroads of agricultural commerce and culture.
The governor urged the church leaders, international community and all those concerned about the WES community to advocate for peace in the state.
Bangasi appealed to the church leaders and the international community “to influence the Government of Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Central Africa Republic (CAR) and to join efforts and flush out the LRA from the Great Lakes Region.”
There was an unsuccessful a joint military offensive against the LRA in 2008, code-named Operation Lightning Thunder and undertaken by the Ugandan People’s Defense Force, Sudanese People’s Liberation Army and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The offensive was launched on 14 December after the LRA leader, Joseph Kony failed to sign the final peace agreement that was negotiated with the Government between July 2006 and April 2008 in Juba, South Sudan.
The governor recommended that, “There is need to build infrastructure in terms of road networks to connect the three countries (Sudan, DRC and CAR) as security precautions, opening road communication to promote rapid security forces responses.”
Bangasi was optimistic for the conference will produce positive results in terms of ceasing LRA atrocities perpetuated against innocent civilians.
He encouraged the church to continue praying as the government also tries to find solutions to the “imported aggression.”
Around six LRA fighters attacked the villages of Rii-Bodo and Nahua on 4 August, and killed eight civilians. The weekend raids also resulted to abduction of two women and two men.
(ST)
julius mowanga
Injustice perpetrated against employees of ministries in Lakes state – Justice Chamber
I realy hail Mr. Joseph Akot Mabor for his fairness and professional approach to the civic ervice dilemma in Lakes State,but that is enough to address the systematic nepotism by the high post holders of the Lake State Government.i had cautioned the respected readers and contributors of the honoured Sudantribune.com;about the impact of Governor;Eng.Shaul Tong in that regard,many went in blaming me and even labeling me as an enemy to his exellency Eng.Shaul Tong due to my prior knowledge and encounter with him durining our studying period in Russia.Today this piece of news affirm what i mentioned earlier,and prostrates my concerns and worries that the Lake State under Eng.Shaul Tong will go down in the record of corruption and nepotism.
There are fife ministers are from the same village of the Gov.Shaul Tong and alot of non welcomed counties commissioners,we ask the simple naive question;is there is no any others,who are qualified for thses commissionaire and ministerial posts in Lake State wide???
There a sincere demand for such mechanism in the Lake State parliament to address the nepotism in the civil services sector,in order to build trust of its mandate among the ordinary people and give assurance to our new grads that they will be employed and treated according to the code of ethics.South Sudan in a phase of building a new independent nation,therefore all the parliamentarians and local dignitaries has to stand firm to fight such calamities.A parliament committee to investigate the appointment of those ministers and counties’ commissioners is very needed to ratify the Eng.Tong’s government by the people,in order to guarantee their cooperation in this crucial period of our new-phase of struggle.
I hope that;Gov.Shaul Tong will adhere to the demands of his people and reconsider his cabinet and counties’ commissioners as well to repute the rebellion among our ordinary people of Lake State
The future is for our new highly educated generation,those who are more qualified than most of the GOSS officeholders.They should be rewarded for their academic achievements by offering them their rights of employment so that they will hold the burden of the development of our war devastated country. Governance is ahard work and the hard work is a hard work.Good-luck Eng.Shaul Tong