Lol youth warn against Awan’s interferences in their state

May 14, 2016 (JUBA) – Youth from Lol state operating under the banner Malual Youth Forum for Restoration of Equality and Emancipation (My-FREE) called on President Salva Kiir to stop the interferences of South Sudan’s army chief in the internal affairs of their state.

In a strongly worded statement issued last week, they threatened to wage war as a resort to putting a stop to what they called “mistreatment and marginalization”.

Lol State was part of the former Northern Bahr el Ghazal State before the controversial administrative division of the country into 28 states.

The youth group, according to a May 9th release extended to Sudan Tribune on Saturday, accused Paul Malong Awan, chief of General of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) of working against the interest of the community, even though the state was divided and the two counties of Aweil North and West became part of the newly established Lol state.

“The Malual- Dinka Youth Forum for Restoration, Equality and Emancipation is monitoring the security situation in Lol State with deep concern. We have witnessed myriads and countless mistreatment of our citizens in the eyes of the President whom we all elected. The President has neglected the collective interests of community and chose to work with our community enemy number one in the name of Malong Awan. Since the President has chosen Malong Awan’s interest above our community collective interests, we are here to say enough of Malong and Salva Kiir bullying tendency of our community for so long,” the release reads in part

The youth asked President Salva Kiir to stop General Awan and his allies in Aweil State and Aweil East State from interfering in Lol State political affairs.

Also they asked the president to advise the Director General for internal security bureau of the national security service, Akol Koor Kuc, acting Chief Administrator in the Office of the President, Rizik Dominic and the Deputy Speaker of the National Legislative Assembly Mark Nyipuoc to distant themselves away from Malong Awan’s myopic ambitions of exterminating Lol State citizens.

Other demands include immediate and unconditional release of the detained musician Larson Angok Garang and respect our political boundaries of Malual and Abiem.

“Failure to listen to these voices of reasons will lead to unpredicted protracted conflict in Bahr el Ghazal and beyond”, the release warned.

(ST)