Greater Fangak students back calls for federalism
July 24, 2014 (KAMPALA) – A group of students from the Greater Fangak counties of South Sudan’s Jonglei state have backed calls for a federal system of government in the young nation.
James Nyoat Bilieu, the chairperson for the students’ body, argued that the proposed states would create equal representation in the country.
“It will open the tail to novel enlargement, expansion, and bringing into integrity, harmony, self determination and affluence in the mother land,” he told Sudan Tribune.
Ter Manyang, who hails from Pigi county, urged South Sudanese students in Egypt, Kenya and Ethiopia to massively rise up in support of the opposition’s proposal.
“We the Greater Fangak students in Uganda backed the move made by the SPLM in opposition. It is what the entire citizens have been waiting for,” said Manyang.
The Greater Fangak students’ union also distanced itself from last month’s proclamation by Bor youths in Jonglei who out rightly opposed demands for federalism. Fangak was among the two states recently proposed by the opposition movement.
However, leaders from the Greater Equatoria region have openly showed support for federalism, saying it was a popular demand among their citizens.
South Sudanese president Salva Kiir told the country’s lawmakers in May that federalism should be decided by citizens and not imposed on to them. He accused the SPLM in Opposition of reigniting the federalism debate to divide the country.
(ST)