W. Equatoria: Tombura’s new king inaugurated

March 31, 2011 (TOMBURA) – The new king of Tombura County, Western Equatoria state (WES), Prince Mboribamu Baabe Renzi Tambura, was crowned on Thursday. He replaces his late father, king Samuel Baabe Renzi Tombura who passed away in 2005.

The Kampala educated Mboribamu Baabe Renzi Tambura is the youngest son of the former Tombura king. He has become the Azande tribe’s youngest reigning monarch.

Speaking during the inaugural ceremony, the head of traditional authorities in WES, Chief Wilson Peni Muro-Gbudue, expressed his joy and deep appreciation to the Government of South Sudan (GoSS) and the government of WES for achieving independence from the north.

He said that this is an historic day for the chiefs of the state as they witness the “crowning of a king as tradition demands from the Azande people.”

“Our cultures and traditions have been distorted by the colonial rule of the Whites and Arabs” he added.

He disclosed that, as the head of traditional authority in the state, he would work hard to make sure that “the powers of the kings and chiefs which were taken away are restored.”

Peni said this is the beginning of “reinstating of powers, cultures, and traditions to kings and chiefs which will enhance the strength of the government in the decision-making of the new nation.”

He explained that the council of traditional authorities in the state, in collaboration with Ministry of Local Government, has drafted the constitution that will govern the traditional leaders in their rule. It was submitted to the council of ministers.

Peni called upon the local authorities of the county to protect to the new king.

Sounds of royal hymns echoed around the locally made throne in the graveyard where the late Baabe rest, on the outskirts of Tombura county. It is now a fortress that acts as the seat of the traditional rule.

A representative of the crown king of the Avongara clan, Azande tribe, Paulino Zizi, said that “the crown king was chosen by his late father before his death in 2005 to replace him as king.”

Zizi explained that the inaugural occasion recalls the norms, cultures and traditions of the great Azande kingdom which was almost collapsed.

He urged all the tribes of WES to take this as a lesson and work hard “to bring back the cultures of the forefathers.”

A host of local dignitaries and government officials witnessed the historic ceremony.

The state Minister of local government and law enforcement, Wilson Sidigi said that the year 2011 is a year of achievements for the people of South Sudan.

“We have conducted the first democratic multi-party elections last April 2010, we held the first ever peaceful and transparent referendum on self-determination in which southerners voted overwhelmingly for secession and we have just inaugurated the first king after many years” he said.

He pointed out that “the United Nation Development Project [UNDP] in WES has expressed its willingness to train the chiefs on rule of law.”

He also stated that the government is working hard to train bodyguards who will protect the kings and the chiefs.

“The ministry shall train the bodyguards for the chiefs, but it will be the responsibility of the county authority to cater for their support” he noted.

The traditional ceremony with Azande rituals was followed by felicitations in the afternoon by more than a hundred people at the coronation site. Tombura enjoyed a day of traditional celebrations following Thursday’s ceremony.

The governor of WES, Bangasi Joseph Bakosoro urged the people of Tambura County to listen to their king despite his youth.

Bakosoro pointed out that “it is high time for the people of Western Equatoria state to recall and protect their own cultures and traditions.

“People are recognised according to their traditional ways of living

“People should cultivate the cultural and traditional staple foods of the state so as to stop the import of food from foreign counties.” said the governor

Bakosoro urged the chiefs of WES to be close to their communities and encouraged them to hold regular meetings communities.

The new crowned king, Mboribamu Baabe Renzi in his inaugural speech expressed his joy and happiness at replacing his late father.

“What my late father said, before he died in 2005 has already come true, and am sure every citizen of Tombura is happy for this inauguration.”

Baabe said that this is a year of blessings to the people of South Sudan and WES and that the traditions and cultures which were lost are being reinvigorated.

He called upon the state government and the county authority to be at his side for advice on how to rule his people for the development of the new nation.

The crown King, who is only 29 years old was born on the 3 February 1982 in Juba. He is the first son of the second wife of late Baabe. He was chosen from more 20 sons father.

Baabe studies in Nkumba University as second year student of political science.

(ST)