W. Equatoria’s Ezo County Commissioner urges chiefs to promote African cultures and values

October 27, 2010 (EZO) – Ezo County Commissioner, Evans Mario Benzei, on Wednesday, called upon the local chiefs and community leaders to enhance and uphold African values and customs in order to deepen moral and socio-economic growth amongst the local communities.

Addressing the people of Mosso in Bagidi Payam (ward) in Ezo County, in south Sudan’s Western Equatoria state (WES), the commissioner said that, “African cultures, the Zande culture in particular is ceasing among the contemporary young men and women, as a result the young generations are engraved to other cultures that used not to be among the Azande communities.”

Mario added that, “it is the role of the community leaders to promote and revive the norms and good customs that used to enhance peaceful coexistence amongst the people of WES through dialogues amongst the community.”

In January South Sudan will hold a self determination referendum, which could see the region gain full independence.

Since a 2005 peace deal the south has had its own autonomous government.

The commissioner encouraged the citizens of Ezo County to continue with their cooperation and hard work towards the success of referendum.

Ezo County is one of the areas of Western Equatoria affected by the insurgency of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).

Originating in Uganda over two decades ago, offensives led by the Ugandan army have scattered the LRA across South Sudan, Central African Republic (CAR) and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The LRA have been accused of numerous crimes against civilians and regularly abduct children and force them to fight with them.

In 2005 the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for the group’s leadership.

Responding to the threat of the LRA the state began arming a local vigilante group, the Arrow Boys, in September.

Ezo County the commissioner urged the Arrow Boys “to be patriotic and vigilant for the protection of their local communities from the atrocities of the rebels.”

However, Mario cautioned the local communities against spreading rumors of LRA appearances.

Civilians and others must, “be in [a] position to provide accurate information before taking steps in order to boost the security of the county”, he said.

Ezo County lies in the western part of the Western Equatoria, around 100 miles from Yambio the state capital, near the south’s border with DRC and CAR.

It has been badly affected by LRA atrocities with thousands of villagers displaced from their homes.

The administrator of Bagidi Payam, Martin Bakpika told the commissioner that “the community of the Payam is ready to vote for separation in the forthcoming referendum.”

South Sudan is widely expected to vote for independence in January’s poll, agreed as part of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

Commisioner Mario was appointed in July by Col Bangasi Joseph Bakosoro, the governor of Western Equatoria.

Bakosoro was the only successful gubernatorial candidate who was not backed by the south’s ruling party the SPLM.

(ST)