W. Equatoria sends congratulatory message to South Sudan’s first president, Salva Kiir

July 15, 2011 (YAMBIO) – The people and government of Western Equatoria state have congratulated South Sudan’s president Salva Kiir Mayardit on the official founding of the Republic of South Sudan and his inauguration as the first president of the country.

The Western Equatoria minister of information and communication, Gibson Bullen Wande said the people of Western Equatoria have expressed their confidence in their new leadership of Salva Kiir by rallying behind him.

“On behalf of Western Equatoria government and community, I present warm congratulation for your new presidency”, Minister Wande said in a statement.

Wande also expressed confidence on the growing and strong relationship of brotherhood between the federal government in Juba and Yambio’s state government and the people of Western Equatoria.

“The people of Western Equatoria state recognize your wise leadership. We will stand behind you as our first President of the Republic of South Sudan and will give you all the support needed to build our new Nation,” the statement concluded.

On Thursday the governor of Western Equatoria was the first governor to travel in person to congratulate president Kiir in person as the first governor to have done so.

Western Equatoria’s governor, Bangasi Joseph Bakosoro, was the only independent candidate to win a gubernatorial seat in last years elections.

(ST)

Audio of James Wani Igga, Speaker of South Sudan’s Parliament declaring the region an independent Republic in Juba on July 9, 2011.