“Insecurity is an excuse” for Jonglei underdevelopment: new governor

November 20, 2013 (BOR) – Jonglei’s new caretaker governor, John Kong Nyuon, arrived in Bor on Wednesday warning that investors and South Sudan’s government were using insecurity “as an excuse for lack of development” in the troubled eastern state.

Speaking on his arrival in Bor, the capital of Jonglei state, Nyuon said that the responsibility to restore peace lies in the hands of the citizens and their leaders.

“We have to sit down and talk,” he said, adding that “guns cannot bring peace”.

“If you ask an investor to come to Jonglei, he says there is insecurity. This is always the excuse,” said Nyuon.

Caretaker governor Nyuon was nominated by South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit last week to replace Kuol Manyang Juuk who replaced the former at helm of ministry of defense in a cabinnet reshuffle in August.

In what officials described as a “show of solidarity” with the new governor, most Members of Parliament representing Jonglei constituencies at national legislative assembly and council of states accompanied caretaker governor John Kong Nyuon. Former governor Kuol Manyang Juuk was also present.

Representatives from the four main regions of Jonglei state, including greater Pibor, greater Bor, greater Fangak and greater Akobo, pledged to the new governor that their communities will respect for the rule of law.

The French oil firm Total, which is the operator of Block B in Jonglei state, failed to resume its explorations activities, stopped since 1985, due to security reasons. In his Christmas address of December 2012, former governor Kuol Manyang Juuk expressed hopes that the company restart in 2013.

Fighting and cattle raiding between ethnic groups has been one of the main causes of insecurity in the Jonglei since South Sudan’s independence in 2011.

HUGE CHALLENGES

Moses Mayul Bol, who represents Uror east at the Jonglei legislative assembly, said that the insecurity issues posed by the forces of rebel leader David Yau Yau in Pibor county have to be addressed.

“I think more resources have to be allocated into construction of roads linking counties to boost mobility,” Bol said.

Philip Thon Nyok, a legislator representing Bor town in Jonglei parliament, said that some armed civilians had “dodged” the state-wide disarmament campaign launched in March 2012.

The MP argued that “disarmament has to be […] a continuous process so that all arms are taken from civilians.” He added that “there are many people who are not disarmed” in Jonglei.

The Murle, Lou Nuer and Dinka Bor – three of six main tribes in Jonglei state – often engage in raiding cattle raiding. At least 70 people were killed and 80 others injured in Twic East county, home to the Dinka Bor tribe, in October.

It has been alleged that the attack was carried out by members of the Murle tribe backed by David Yau Yau’s rebel group. In June, the Lou Nuer launched what they called a revenge raid on Murle villages resulting in casualties from both sides.

Ismail Konyi, speaking as a greater Pibor area representative, said “peace is the only way to development in Jonglei.”

“But we say good things on microphone here and do different things later.”

Speaking after Konyi, John Luk Jok, representing greater Aboko, agreed with his Pibor counterpart.

“But we must speak same things; in front of people and in closed doors,” said Luk.

Apart from insecurity that has forced many villagers to migrate to Jonglei’s town, the new governor will have to address flooding that has led to displacement of thousands of people within Bor, the state headquarters. Bor suburbs of Fangak, Hai Machuor and Pan-liet have been submerged by water since a dyke broke and White Nile River broke its banks recently.

John Kong Nyuon first led Jonglei as part of the greater of Upper Nile region while serving in the SPLM rebel movement that has governed South Sudan since a 2005 peace deal paved the way for secession from Sudan.

Nyuon’s predecessor, Kuol Manyang Juuk, said that his successor would be an “asset” to Jonglei state.

Juuk led Jonglei for five years and eight months. Hussein Maar Nyuot will continue in his role as deputy governor.

A large crowd gathered to greet Jonglei’s new leader. People have high expectations for Nyuon’s leadership including ending insecurity.

Dancers and traditional leaders as well as religious leaders converged in front of the governor’s office for a welcoming ceremony that started at 2pm local time.

(ST)