Jonglei’s Pigi Commissioner resigns

June 21, 2012 (PIGI)- Pigi county commissioner, Aleu Mijak has resigned from his position over what he described as the “community’s refusal to the rule of law”.

Mijak, who has served as the commissioner for the last three years, said he has resigned because the local chiefs had refused to hand over the raiders who stole cattle from the neighbouring counties, to be tried by the court of law.

He said that bringing the perpetrators of cattle rustling incidents must be brought to justice as this is “the only way for us to stop cattle rustling”.

Mijiak claims that chiefs are protecting the communities cattle thieves.

He also claimed that members of the Shiluk ethnic who attempted to return to their properties group after fleeing the Pigi during conflict that erupted in 2010, have been denied access by the Canal community. This has been supported by chiefs and individuals in the central government, according to Mijak.

Mijak said he did not want to be blamed for “all these messes” created by the mismanagement.

His voluntary resignation was accepted by the state governor, Kuol Manyang, on 21 June.

In South Sudan, five potential commissioners are nominated by their communities and one is selected and appointed by the governor.

The South Sudan permanent constitution is expected to give the communities the right to elect their commissioners, which will be implemented in the next general elections.

(ST)