Wau East communities file complaint with governor over power-sharing

November 19, 2014 (WAU) – Community representatives from Western Bahr el Ghazal’s Jur River county have met with state governor Rizik Zackaria Hassan to put their case for equal presentation in the executive state government.

The meeting, which took place on Wednesday, was organised by three payams (districts) of Wau East, with representatives led by chairperson James Bak Nyiyuo.

The group presented Hassan with a letter on behalf of the Wau East community, a copy of which was obtained by Sudan Tribune.

“This demand stemmed up from the grassroot of the community after we have seen the current presentation in the executive government in the state cabinet where only two positions were offered to whole Wau east communities by your government compared to the representation of other communities in which great differences are seen,” the letter said.

The letter also reiterated the communities’ support for the state government “as we voted you in through a fair, transparent and credible democratic elections” in 2010.

Speaking to the press after the meeting, the delegation’s secretary, Abraham Urayo, declared the meeting had been a success, with the governor promising to consider the communities’ demands.

“Our meeting with the governor was very clear as a demand from our communities over [the] lack of equal representation in the state’s cabinet likewise to other communities within the state,” said Urayo.

“The state governor has ensured us that he will consider our list in case of any reshuffling in the cabinet,” he added.

According to Urayo, while the governor applauded their initiative, he went on to explain that the first appointments in his cabinet were based on their qualifications and personal background with the ruling party (SPLM) rather than on community interest.

The meeting comes amid community concerns that they will again be left out again in the future when the governor names his next cabinet line-up.

(ST)