Western Bahr el Ghazal governor urges citizens to support peace deal
August 28, 2015 (WAU) – Government of Western Bahr el Ghazal state has urged the state citizens to support the peace agreement signed by president Salva Kiir on Wednesday 26 August with the armed opposition faction led by former vice president, Riek Machar, saying the government had no other option under heavy international pressure.
The pro-peace tone initiative came following a meeting of the state council of ministers on Friday after which the state top executive made a public address over the recent signed peace agreement.
Governor Hassan in his address highlighted his state “compatriots” about what the government described as reservation on the IGAD – plus proposal for the resolution of the crisis in South Sudan, saying power sharing was one of the reservations.
He however downplayed the ratio of the power sharing deal in his state which gives the rebels 15% of cabinet positions, further claiming that there are also no rebels in his state.
But the governor called on political parties, special forces and all citizens of Western Bahr el Ghazal state to join the government in the full implementation of the peace agreement.
Several voices from state politicians and state government officials also said there was need for government officials to go up to the grassroots levels to sensitize the public over the recent agreement and its implementation.
Julio Paul, a youth league secretary for the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) in Western Bahr el Ghazal state told Sudan Tribune on Friday that it was important to explain to the populations what is contained in the peace agreement and the need to fully implement it.
“People should immediately start going to the counties, payams and bomas to tell the people about the peace signed,” he said.
(ST)