Former Lakes state deputy governor advocates for peace

July 21, 2015 (RUMBEK) – The former deputy governor of South Sudan’s Lakes state, Santo Chol has welcomed his recent dismissal, calling for the improvement of security.

Chol was last week unexpectedly sacked by the caretaker governor, Matur Chut Dhuol and replaced with Mabor Achol Kuer.

He however welcomed the governor’s decision by calling for the restoration of peace.

“If my dismissal would bring peace and stability in Lake state, off course I welcome that decision, only what I need Lakes state to be stable from insecurity,” Chol said Tuesday.

Chol urged his predecessor and those newly appointed by the caretaker governor to prioritise tackling the rising insecurity levels mainly caused by youth and pastoralists.

“Insecurity has overtaken Rumbek because officials and pastoralists youth vowed to disobey the state government and that would be hard if authorities rush to violently confront these youth,” he said.

Lakes state has been embroiled in cycles of revenge attacks with many blaming the government for allegedly failing to curb rising insecurity in the region.

(ST)