Aguok community of Gogrial state warns unrest over governor’s leadership transfer
March 27, 2016 (JUBA) – Members of the Dinka’s Aguok Aciek community of the newly created Gogrial state (from former Warrap state), have warned of possible unrest due to illegal involvement of the state governor in the transfer of the community’s leadership.
“This behaviour of the governor and his business associates has to serve as an alarm or a call to authorities to take responsibility and not permit this to happen again,” said Mathiek Riing, one of the leading youth leaders from the area.
“We don’t need problem in our area. Power is never snatched by force. It is given to you and when it is given to you by the people, you will have the support of the people who gave it to you thereby becoming the source of legitimacy of the leadership,” he told Sudan Tribune in an interview on Sunday.
He charged that a person name Makiir Gai wants to be imposed on the people by the governor, saying this will not be accepted by the community.
Santino Mawien, another member of Aguok community claimed the involvement of the governor in the community affairs was because he has been influenced by Gai, a business tycoon who allegedly paid more than three hundred thousand South Sudanese pounds (300,000SSP) to fund recent visit of governor Gum to the three counties of Aguok North, Centre and South. He said this was to mobilise support for Gai’s selection as the community leader despite rejection from the community leadership.
“I want to say this and I will stand by my words whatever the case maybe. There are evidences that the governor is siding with Makiir Gai because he has an interest. It is a known fact that Makiir Gai has been a financier of political activities of the governor. This is why the governor is imposing him on the people and we will not accept this as the community,” said Mawien.
He recalled that the community leadership has been held for 8 years by the former Gogrial west county commissioner, Aciec Kuot, who is allegedly a step brother of Makiir Gai.
“For fairness sake, we as the Aguok community want this position to go to Aguok Aciek. This is how we do our things. We rotate our leadership. For 8 years the community leadership was with Aguok Bar community and Aciec Kuot was the community leader until his term elapsed,” said Mathiek Riing Ayok.
“The funny thing is that Makiir Gai wants the same position which was held by his step brother, even when our tradition, our way of doing things, does not entertain monopoly of community affairs. We have also encouraged rotational leadership,” he explained.
Akoon Madut Akec, another Aguok community leader, said they will not entertain “a politically motivated sectional tension” and will hold governor Gum responsible for any negative reactions.
“Our community leaders, including chief justice Chan Reec Madut, who is a prominent member of our community, have been persuaded to stay away from this summit because the governor did not hide his interest and motives,” he added.
He said the governor was interested to involve in the community leadership affairs due to a conflict of interest.
‘Just think about this and you will find nothing than a clear conflict of interest, which is unacceptable. We cannot compromise our values,” said Akec.
He further alleged that the person whom the governor attempted to impose on the Aguok community as their leader comes from another ethnic group called Jur Mananger and therefore is not a member of the community.
(ST)