Nuer youth urge S. Sudan’s Kiir to retract decree on new states
By Tesfa-Alem Tekle
October 5, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – The Nuer Youth Union (NYU) in Ethiopia on Monday unanimously rejected the creation of 28 states that was decreed by president Salva Kiir.
“It should not just be a one man or single-handed decision but must base on mutual agreement from all the warring parties and unanimously approved by the citizens,” said chairman of the group, Koat Gatkuoth Thoat Diew.
The group claimed the unilateral decision of president Kiir to create more states without proper studies would mean to claim undeserved credit and kills hopes and aspirations to introduce federalism in South Sudan as per the agreement reached between the two warring factions.
“Majority of the decreed states were divided based on tribal line and some were created to marginalize the small tribes in expenses of the larger one especially in Western Bhar El Ghazal where Raja was merged with Aweil West and North Counties” added Koat.
He claimed the decree had created new boundaries without proper study and without the consent of citizens citing the annexation of Pigi county to the oil-ruch Upper Nile state.
“Those and many more errors will create more problems and possibly wars if not stopped! We called it a historical mistake that should be condemned both locally and internationally” he added.
The youth body, which is based in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, further urged South Sudanese and the international community to reject and condemn last week’s decree.
“We are hereby reaffirming our support for the proposed 21 states based on the former British Colonial districts because they were studied and had clear boundaries”, said Koat.
“We also recognized the fact that it should be done through public consultation and first adopted by the permanent constitution during the Transitional Government of National Unity”, he stressed.
During the Nasir Consultative Conference in April 2014, the leadership of SPLM in Opposition led by former vice president, Riek Machar adopted Federalism based on 21 states.
The South Sudanese Nuer Youth said the unilateral creation made last Friday by Kiir undermines his government organs; Parliament, Judiciary, and Council of Minister and the citizens and the provision of the CPA-2 that only recognized 10 states.
The group also applauded the African Union Peace and Security Council for announcing to release the African Union Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan (AUCISS).
“We are hereby calling for its immediate release to the public such that perpetrators are known by South Sudanese and swiftly held into account”
They further expressed support to the creation of an independent Hybrid Courts outside South Sudan to trial those who committed crimes.
In an expected move, President Kiir On Friday issued a presidential decree which increases the number of states in the world’s youngest nation to 28 from the initial 10.
According to the new decree, the decision should come into effect within 30 days.
South Sudan rebel leader, Riek Machar, immediately rejected Kiir’s decision saying his move contravenes a power-sharing deal signed in August under the regional bloc (IGAD).
(ST)