South Sudan president meets Unity state officials over peace implementation

September 25, 2015 (JUBA) – South Sudanese president Salva Kiir has met and held a meeting with officials from the oil producing state of Unity, acknowledging their support to his government and assuring them of his commitment to addressing some of the issues raised at the meeting.

Speaking during an interview with Sudan Tribune on Thursday, Lam Tungwar, Unity state’s minister of youth, culture and sports said the purpose of visiting and meeting the president was to congratulate him on the signing of the peace agreement and to brief him on the general security and political situation in the state.

The delegation which met the president, he said, was led by the deputy governor of the state, Stephen Mabek Lang. The meeting, he explained, was “very crucial” as it carried messages from the state governor Joseph Nguen Monytuil, “who has a clear vision and the objectives of the state in the coming agreement and during the Transitional Government of National Unity.”

“Yesterday (Wednesday) we held a meeting with His Excellency the President Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit on the issues affecting Unity State and also to Congratulate him on the recent signed peace agreement and to re-affirm our support and loyalty to him and also under our government,” said Tungwar.

“We touched many issues including the loopholes in the just signed agreement which might affect the state and how they can be managed at all level, from national to the other states,” he further explained.

The official revealed that Kiir had provided assurance to supporting and standing with the people of Unity state whether during good or bad times in response to the support he has received from the group.

“Our president once again re-affirmed his support to the Unity state people and the government and he will stand with us in good time and bad time as our president and our party leader,” he added.

The president, he added, however pointed out that it was time for officials in the state to unite and go down to the people, including the military figures and civil servants to talk about peace.

The oil-rich Unity state will be governed during a 30-month of transitional period by a governor nominated by the opposition faction led by former vice president, Riek Machar, in accordance with the peace agreement signed in August with president Kiir.

This entails that the current governor has about three months left to leave the seat.

Another oil-producing state of Upper Nile will also be governed by the opposition. The two are the only producing states in South Sudan and provide 98% of the total government’s budget from the generating oil revenues.

(ST)