South Sudan’s Governors Forum kicks off in Juba

November 14, 2011 (JUBA) – Governors of the ten states of South Sudan arrived in Juba on Sunday, for a forum that will discuss progress and challenges faced in each state.

This will be the first Governors Forum since the independence of South Sudan on 9 July this year, following a successful referendum, conducted as part of a 2005 peace with north Sudan.

The Forum will be addressed by the President of the Republic of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit, where he is expected to lay out his policy statement for the new nation.

Each of the ten state governors are expected to make presentations about affairs of their states; what they have achieved and the challenges they have been facing.

The current insecurity incidents with North Sudan along the North-South borders are expected to feature in the reports. South Sudan accused the north of conducting cross border attacks using southern rebels groups.

South Sudan’s military say that at least 18 were killed when rebels attacked an army base in Upper Nile state. The UN has accused the north of bombing South Sudan’s Unity state on Thursday.

The discussions will take place during the next four days beginning from today, Monday 14 November 2011.

(ST)