Aweil community asks Kiir to remove NBG’s governor, warns chaos
April 9, 2021 (JUBA)- Aweil community leadership in South Sudan’s Northern Bahr el Ghazal state has requested to remove Governor Tong Akeen Ngor, warning a failure would wreak chaos in a peaceful community.
The request comes after the arrest of an activist who campaigned against the governor management of state affairs and his efforts to create a new constituency.
In a petition to President Salva Kiir on Friday Awel Community elders accused the governor of causing social disharmony and disunity instead of implementing peace in the state.
“He is dividing people. He is arresting people and he is diverting resources to enrich himself,” reads a statement signed by Aweil Community elders extended to the Sudan Tribune.
The statement elders further said the governor ordered the arrest of a young man called Samuel Garang Dut because he questioned the basis of a decision to divide some areas in Aweil to form a new constituency. Also, he shared on social media a picture showing a new house of the governor.
“For peace and unity of our people, this governor, your Excellency, must be removed. His actions are stoking anger, the statement reads. “We will not accept and we will accept nothing but his removal”, it adds.
Police authorities in Aweil confirmed Dut’s, pointing to his activities on social media.
“We are acting on directives given to us. If you want to know ask the governor or someone in his office. (The governor) is now at the airport going to Juba. If you want to know, wait for him at Juba airport and he will speak to you about this arrest”, a policeman told Sudan Tribune on Friday.
The Sudan Tribune failed to reach the governor after his arrival in Juba. Also, his office was not available for comment on Dut’s arrest.
Governor Ngor who was picked for the position by President Kiir has joined the SPLM after the 2005 peace agreement after working with Khartoum for long years.
Those who took part in the liberation struggle contest the appointment of such people who are often described as South Sudan’s National Congress Party (NCP) in reference to the former ruling party in Sudan.
Contested authority
Many veteran politicians and senior officers in the army turned down assignments offered to them by the governor, preferring to stay without assignments than working under his authority.
“This is a clear humiliation. Nothing explains this. When I was a commanding officer fighting the government in Khartoum, this guy was busy fighting us. He mobilized Murrahallen and came to fight us in 2001 in the battle of Tit Chok Mareng. Have you not heard about it?”
“He was on the other side of the enemy and I was in the liberation struggle fighting to liberate our people. If the leadership has forgotten my contribution and the cause of war, then I better stay in my home,” a liberation veteran told Sudan Tribune on Friday when asked to comment on the demand of the community.
The veteran who preferred anonymity said the governor feels the lack of acknowledgement and legitimacy so, he tries to impose his authority.
“Ngor feels small in their eyes and therefore wants to exert his rule using force and intimidation,” he said.
(ST)