W. Bahr el Ghazal legislative assembly reopens after nine-month recess
March 25, 2015 (WAU) – Western Bahr el Ghazal state’s legislative assembly reopened on Wednesday following a nine-month recess, with governor Rizik Zackaria Hassan urging MPs to cooperate with government efforts to meet the needs of its citizens.
Addressing the assembly, Hassan said South Sudan continued to face a serious crisis as a result of the current conflict which erupted in mid-December 2013, adding that the collapse of peace talks, which are being mediated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in Addis Ababa, was a blow for the South Sudanese people.
“Unfortunately the outcome was below the expectations of our people due to [the] rebels high demands and their lack of commitments to peace,” said Hassan.
He said now was the time for South Sudanese people to stand together.
“We, therefore, in Western Bahr el Ghazal state need to strengthen our unity in the internal fronts, whether in the party, executive, legislature, civil society organisations, political parties, women and youth, and between these institutions,” Hassan told MPs in his address.
“The current situation necessitates us to raise the awareness with the potential threats targeting the integrity of the nation,” he added.
He that that by rejecting all options offered by the negotiation team, the country’s rebel faction was prolonging the conflict and was also responsible for an escalation in tensions.
According to Hassan, between 30 and 50 local youths have since been recruited by rebel forces, with 41 people who now in the field after being trained in Eldoumai training camp in South Darfur and awarded ranks and titles by rebel leader Riek Machar.
Border issues along the boundary with Sudan and controlling the flow of small arms were among other significant challenges facing the state, Hassan said.
He also touched on the deteriorating economic situation following the drop in oil revenues as a result of the ongoing conflict, adding that more oil wells in Unity state have been affected.
Wrapping up his address, Hassan initiated an amendment to the state’s transitional constitution in response to a presidential call for the extension and legitimacy of the national and state governments, which is due to be tabled in the house.
(ST)