S. Sudanese envoy says creation of new states “administrative”
October 5, 2015 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s ambassador to Russia, Telar Ring Deng has described as “administrative” president Salva Kiir’s recent decree on creation of 28 new states in the country.
President Kiir’s decree issued on Friday last week divides Lakes state into three provinces. These are Eastern Lakes state, comprising of Yirol West, Yirol East and Awerial counties, Western Lakes state, comprising Rumbek East, Rumbek North, Rumbek Central and Wulu counties with Rumbek and Gok State, which encompasses the present Cueibet county.
“The merits of the creation of 28 States is purely basic services delivery, but I want to let our people from both Eastern and Western Lakes states take the division as only administrative,” said Deng in a statement also obtained by Sudan Tribune on Sunday.
“We must always remember that since the colonial period, Yirol and Rumbek had been one. Yirol was a sub-district of Rumbek district until independence in 1956. Some of our people sometimes are narrow minded and may take the division of Lakes into two States negatively and take advantage of it to create discourse among our people. It is our duty to make sure we remain united as one people despite administrative division,” he added.
The envoy, however, was optimistic threats for sanctions on the young nation from the United Nation would not succeed after it was blocked by the Russia Federation.
Last month, a move by the UN Security Council (UNSC) to slap sanctions on South Sudan’s army chief, Paul Malong Awan was opposed by Russia, Venezuela and Angola.
“Our internal front should remain united. This is the only way to defeat our enemies”, he said.
Deng was assigned to Moscow after he was relieved from his legal advisory role in 2014.
(ST)