Lakes: New Panakurbil chief elected in Rumbek East

April 4, 2013 (RUMBEK) – Lakes state authorities conducted traditional chief authority elections in Rumbek East County headquarter in Adual on Thursday with four candidates seeking to become chief of Panakurbil section of the Dinka ethnic group.

Patar Majok Dierdier won the contest with 175 votes, followed by Madhuor Mangar with 46, Maker Chuong with 42 and Marual Maker who obtained 20 votes,.

Former Panakurbil chief, Marol Majok, was dismissed in December 2012 by David Marial Gumke, the Rumbek East County commissioner.

Justifying his decision, Gumke said Majok’s performance and attendance in the area was poor. He also accused the former chief of failing to arrest the bandits suspected of ambushing people on the road between Rumbek and Juba.

Patar Majok Dierdier will officially replace Marol Majok on Friday 5 April.

Three sub-chiefs were elected unopposed, including Marol Machar.

Commissioner Gumke, described the election as the “beginning” of the implementation of the 2009 South Sudan Local Government Act 2009, which allows people to elect traditional leaders.

(ST)