Jonglei governor urges lawmakers to preach peace and unity
November 23, 2015(BOR) – The governor of South Sudan’s Jonglei state governor, John Kong has called on state members of the assembly to preach peace across the region.
“We must support this peace that was signed by president [Salva] Kiir and Riek Machar in August, so that our people resume their normal lives. The implementation process will not be possible without the support of people and the government of Jonglei state”, Kong stressed while addressing state parliamentarians in the capital, Bor on Monday.
“I therefore urge all the members of this August house to take larger responsibilities to enlighten citizens of Jonglei state to let peace prevail”, he added.
The white army, a section of youth from the Lou Nuer tribe, allied with rebels headed by former vice president during the crisis and many died at different fronts during the crisis.
The governor said such people should be educated about the dangers of the conflict.
PEACE A SOLUTION TO ECONOMIC CRISIS
Living costs in Jonglei are extremely high since the crisis begun. Few goods reached the market at very high prices due to increase in dollar value against the local currency.
According to the governor, sustainable peace would be the only solution to this crisis.
“Our people are suffering from hunger on daily basis because they are not able to cultivate or rear their livestock. That means the current economic difficulty has no magic solution if peace is not restored”, said Kong.
The governor urged MPs to be committed to his call for peace as a solution to problems.
Moreover, the state legislative assembly speaker, Peter Deng Aguer said his assembly members had already planned to preach peace in the state government controlled areas.
“Community sensitization at grass roots levels and peace building among the local citizens is yet to be started in accessible areas. And peace conference between the affected communities of Jonglei state and Pibor administrative area to stop cattle raiding and child abduction is highly recommended by the assembly”, said Deng.
The state assembly opened on 23 November after more nearly seven months of recess, as it failed to reopen in August as expected due to reasons not known to the public.
(ST).