N. Bahr el Ghazal’s Abiem East community elect new leaders
February 1, 2015 (JUBA) – The Abiem East community in South Sudan’s Northern Bahr el Ghazal’s Aweil East county last Friday elected new community leaders and placed its entire structures and guides under Sultan Abdel Bagi Ayii Akol.
Former finance and health minister in the state government, Tong Atak Mel, was named secretary for political affairs while former Aweil east county commissioner, Manot Mareng was elected his deputy in the new leadership structure.
Akol Manyang Akol takes charge of education secretariat with David Kuol Garang as his deputy while Tong Tong Akoon takes the secretariat of popular and syndicated organisation with Tong Hou Lual as his deputy.
Santino Makuoc Akol was named head of finance committee with Ayak Athian becoming the deputy secretary for finance as Samuel Awer Garang take charge of secretariat responsible for social welfare with James Yel Kuol Akol becoming the secretary of health affairs and Abuk Garang Bak named deputy secretary for health.
The election of new leaders follows Alfred Deng Aluk’s death due to illness in 2013.
Akol, who enjoys unanimous support from prominent community figures and high level intellectuals in the region, pledged to work hand in hand with everybody, including those who have shown interest in becoming the head of the community leadership.
“This is an honour for to be elected and given this community work. I will serve to the best of my ability. It is a reflection of trust and confidence in me by this great community,” Akol said in an acceptance address on Friday.
“My business now is to ensure I work together hand in hand with all the groups without distinction. I will work with everybody, old, young, small boys, women, elders, intellectuals, lawmakers, all those who have a role to play in the organisation and building peaceful community,” he added.
Akol, who has held high level positions in different capacities including serving as a presidential advisor for traditional leadership and border affairs, pledged to work hard in order to strengthen unity, peaceful coexistence and focus on developmental activities in the area while building close ties with other neigbouring communities and work hand in hand with the government at different levels to maintain peace.
“Our common objective is to maintain peace, strengthen our unity, and devise our unique ways to address issues in a unified manner. Our unity should not be a threat to anybody but rather be a source of our strength and growth,” he said.
Former Aweil east county commissioner Mou Kuan commended the community for placing their trust in the hand of Akol whom he described as someone with “strong personalities and caring leader” in all aspects.
“Sultan Abdel Bagi Ayii Akol as you know is a well-known person. He is a national figure with strong personalities. Because of this, the community saw it was important to place the community leadership in his hand so that people will benefit from his wisdom because he is someone who has a wealthy knowledge and experience from his previous assignments at different levels of various governments,” Kuan said.
“He would unite our people to remain in peace and harmony. He will not segregate. This is what I know about him,” he added.
(ST)