Western Equatoria governor voted the best in S. Sudan

February 16, 2012 (JUBA) – Joseph Bangasi Bakosoro, governor of Western Equatoria, has been voted the best governor for the 2010-2011 period by a group of religious leaders.

Bakosoro was a senior member of South Sudan’s ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement who contested the 2010 general election as an independent candidate after failing to secure approval of his candidature from the political bureau.

On 31 January Baksoro was selected as the winner. His cited achievements included repairing and building trust amongst political opponents and supporters in the states; spearheading peace and reconciliation; good governance; economic advancement and social stability; improving national security, peaceful co-existence and religious harmony; establishment of the University of Western Equatoria; and collaboratively with the national government pushing access to primary health care delivery.

Speaking in an interview with Sudan Tribune from Yambio, capital of the state, Charles Richard Gbangdingda, a senior executive member of Yangeri youth union, thanked the religious leaders in the state for recognising achievements of the person he described as “young and great leader”.

Gbangdingda said Bakosoro had maintained his commitment to religious tolerance. Despite being a Christian, he can be found at Muslim events; promoting a sense of harmony across the state.

Moses Mangiwai Tade, another native of Western Equatoria and an official in the Government of South Sudan said the report gave Bakosoro high praise, including a reduction in the rate of attacks by the Ugandan rebel group, Lord’s Resistance Army.

Mary William, a native of Western Equatoria, who returned from the Diaspora in Australia, expressed her congratulations to Bakosoro. She added that many members of the Diaspora still maintain an interest in their states.

In December 2011, the South Sudan president Salva Kiir thanked governor Bakosoro and the people of Western Equatoria for maintaining peace in the area. The country’s national legislative assembly speaker, James Wani Igga in February 2012 also appreciated efforts being exerted by Bakosoro in maintaining peace in the area.

(ST)