N. Bahr el Ghazal places security as top priority
July 10, 2012 (JUBA) – The Governor of South Sudan’s Northern Bahr el Ghazal State on Monday assured citizens that tackling insecurity in the border state, will remain his top priority as the country enters its second year of independence.
Addressing a jubilant crowd on South South’s first independence anniversary in the state capital Aweil, Governor Paul Malong Awan said a secure environment would provide a platform for development and investment.
“We will also continue to give special attention to our security. When I came to this state in my current capacity, I made a pledge that security of the state would top the list of my priorities and this has not changed,” said Awan in a speech, a copy of which was extended to Sudan Tribune.
Following a border conflict in March and April this year between Sudan and South Sudan, Northern Bahr el Ghazal was among the five states instructed by President Salva Kiir to mobilise in defence of the new nation.
South Sudan says it forcefully occupied the disputed oil-rich Heglig area in retaliation to repeated cross-border aggression by the Sudan Armed Forces.
The Governor also lauded the South Sudan army (SPLA) for standing firm, during what he called the “darkest hours” of the country. He also praised South Sudan’s international partners and aid agencies who have continuously backed South Sudan in the efforts to fill the gaps left after decades of civil war with North Sudan.
Around two million people are estimated to have been killed and over four million displaced in the two-decade north-south civil war, which also resulted caused massive destruction of properties, infrastructure and widespread poverty.
Awan ruled out the notion that South Sudan is a “failed” state, saying those who doubted the progress of the new nation have been proved wrong, given the level of achievements recorded in the last year.
“Many attempts were made by enemies of South Sudan to fail us as a nation. One most notable among these is the Republic of Sudan which continues to project a serious security threat to our sovereignty but they will fail,” assured the Governor.
He specifically accused neighbouring Sudan of advancing policies designed to economically destroy South Sudan, citing the economic blockade imposed by Khartoum, which led to the closure of its borders with South Sudan.
The Governor, however, backed the ongoing demonstrations in Khartoum and other Sudanese towns, saying it clearly shows peoples’ frustration with the regime in the north. Sporadic demonstrations, which initially started as a student protest in Khartoum have, in recent weeks, spread to other parts of the country forcing the government to use tear gas and rubber bullets. Activists say 2,000 people have been arrested.
Hard Work
Awan said the citizens of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State needed to embark on hard work, if the country is to prosper. He particularly encouraged them to exploit South Sudan’s abundant natural resources, and to cultivate the country’s arable land.
“Let me remind you that there is no short cut to economic prosperity. We can only become [a] prosperous nation if we accept to work hard. We are a nation blessed with abundant natural resources including arable land for agriculture,” he told the gathering.
The state government, he assured citizens, will continue pursuing policies and strategies that will expedite the delivery of basic services to the community particularly in areas of equipped health facilities, schools, clean water and an efficient road network.
(ST)