Detaching Malakal town from Makal County “unconstitutional”: SSOMA
March 13, 2021 (MALAKAL) – The Leadership Council of South Sudan Opposition Movement Alliance (SSOMA) has described as “unconstitutional” the Transitional Government of National Unity’s (TGoNU) decision to detach Malakal town from Makal County in Upper Nile state.
The Cabinet Affairs Minister, Martin Elia Lomoro announced on Friday that the government had resolved to establish Makal as a County while Malakal town shall be a municipality in Upper Nile state.
He said Makal County shall comprise of Warjowk Payam, Lilo Payam, Ogodo Payam and Wau Shilluk Payam as its head headquarters.
But SSOMA, in a statement, said it is “deeply disturbed” by the decision detaching the historic town of Malakal from Makal County.
“This unfortunate decision is not only unconstitutional, but it poses a serious security threat to the entire country leading to eventual total disintegration,” partly read SSOMA’s statement issued March 13, 2021.
According to the opposition alliance, the decision that established the Makal County was made by the late Dr John Garang in 2004.
“The decision established Makal County with its Payams: Malakal Town, Lelo and Ogod,” it stressed.
SSOMA urged the Juba regime to immediately stop “its policy of land grabbing with the intention of changing demography of other ethnic groups in the country”.
“Therefore, SSOMA condemns in strongest terms possible, this reckless and irresponsible decision by the R-TGoNU,” stressed the statement.
The SSOMA group includes the National Salvation Front (NAS), South Sudan United Front (SSUF), the Real Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (R-SPLM), the United Democratic Revolutionary Movement, National Democratic Movement-Patriotic Front (NDM-PF), and South Sudan National Movement for Change (SSNMC).
(ST)