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Jonglei governor unveils state strategies; asks citizens to listen

By Philip Thon Aleu

May 31, 2008 (BOR, Jonglei) – The top official in the Southern Sudan state of Jonglei outlined a series of steps taken by the local government to address a number of issues including security as the primary focus.

Jonglei governor Kuol Manyang
Jonglei governor Kuol Manyang
Governor Kuol Manyang Juuk, speaking to reporters this weekend, detailed a number of achievements and challenges Jonglei is going through – stemming from insecurity, unemployment among the youth and what he described as “corruption in government machinery” and seeking Jonglei citizens’ attention.

“The function of government is to establish good governance and delivery of social services, which means respect for law and order, such that citizens feel secured and develop their economy,” Governor Kuol Manyang said before tackling the main challenges in steps.

INSECURITY AND DISARMAMENT

The governor reiterated that the road to achieving peace is through disarmament.

“Civilians are stronger than police forces and this have increased the rate of crimes. “We must disarm them” he said.

Manyang said that the recent clashes between Duk County communities where at least thirty people died are returning to normal after two days of intensive talks by a peace committee headed by his Advisor on Peace Rev. John Jok.

“There is now peace in that area. The reports say that a total of 70,000 cattle were looted from Wuror County to Duk County and another 1,700 cattle by Wuror from Duk County. This has been the main reason why Wuror citizens were prepared to attack Duk County.”

The clashes were sparked-off by a disagreement over cattle bartering [heifer for bull], the governor confirmed putting an end speculations on the cause of the fight.

The governor said that he appealed to “Wuror not to attack Duk and we are doing our best to return stolen cattle to the rightful people.”

The governor promised an investigation into the clashes which resulted in displacement of people and closure of projects that including school construction and clean water points drilling in central Jonglei Counties. The governor said he is seeking citizens’ adherence to peace and allowing the government to provide security for them.

Jonglei insecurity has crossed perimeters into Ethiopia and Central Equatoria State (CES). Manyang is due to fly to Ethiopia in a few days to negotiate with his Ethiopian counterpart some mechanisms to normalize ties. As for cattle keepers that budged into CES, the state government has arranged to return them back to avoid “interfering with farms and stability there [CES]” the governor disclosed.

Disarmament, according to recent decree from Southern Sudan president 1st Lt. Gen. Salva Kiir Mayadrit, all the ten Southern states has to start disarmament as June 1st, 2008, Governor Kuol maintained. “To avoid self-destruction and looting of others’ property, we shall start disarmament tomorrow [Sunday June 1st] and continue for six months,” Gen. Kuol said.

Asked whether the disarmament process may not be so peaceful, the governor said all units of government, particularly the civil society will be given time to convince people and those who choose to comply will be issued certificates.

The armed forces (SPLA) “will then move in to disarm any one refusing to surrender arms to civil societies using all necessary force,” he said. Mr. Manyang revealed that the disarmament will commence concurrently in all counties to circumvent any “negative” conspiracy in Jonglei state as well as the neighboring states.

POST-DISARMAMENT FRUITS

The governor said that after disarmament, police force, to be boosted by more 500 citizens undergoing training, will take over from the SPLA and maximize protection against looting and invasion of foreign lands.

He also predicted that road networks linking Jonglei towns will be built with little obstruction and the number of foreign investors will surge paving the way to social-economic development.

“After the peace agreement [CPA], many foreign investors expressed their interest in coming to South Sudan and Jonglei in particular, but who wants to invests in war zones?” Manyang asked.

A road connecting Jonglei capital Bor Town to Pibor is underway and the “work will continue despite the rainy season because the contracting company has good trucks,” he said. The state has also built a Higher Institute in the memory of John Garang de Mabior.

CORRUPTION, UNEMPLOYMENT & WEAK JUDICIARY

An intense review to the number of government employees has been carried out several times to deal with ghost names and double workers. The governor disclosed that the exercise has been successful and a next move to check on substandard grading is completed and same (good) results are expected.

“There are ministries in place alright, but what are they doing? There are no projects planned or implemented; for example no construction of officials building is going on, hospitals and health centers are in a very bad shape, towns in Jonglei have no drainages but the state receives money from the government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) monthly. What is the government doing? The money is paid to numerous workers for doing nothing,” Mr. Manyang wondered.

However, the governor attributed this not solely to corrupt leaders, but to the huge number of staff that encompasses SPLM and Government of Sudan pre-peace administrations.

“In some cases those years, the government (of Sudan) employed children, elderly or non-existing people. A person’s job is occupied by up to five (5) people,” he said adding “we have already removed some names and money can now be served for development.”

High rate of unemployment among the youth has to be solved by substituting into positions realized vacant after the “employees reviewing roll calling.” Other youth will be riveted into the oil companies after training – to be organized by them as requested by the state government.

The governor requested higher schools and institutes students to opt for the faculty of law to catch up with the ailing judiciary. “There are complains about how cases are handled in the judiciary, but that is not my work. It is the human rights watchdog to supervise these cases including myself,” Governor Kuol said before adding that “delayed justice is denied justice.”

The governor acknowledged that Jonglei is trailing behind in agricultural sector and warned the citizens to take care or starve. “Rains are very good this year and I hope our people we will hear our voices and help in producing their own food rather than depending on imported foods,” he said.

“Jonglei state is better now than last year which was better than the previous years and hopefully, the trend will continue” the governor concluded.

Manyang also urged local reporters, whom he said are free to operate, to “collect information from state ministers” in order to spread peace messages and strategies of the government.

(ST)

18 Comments

  • James James
    James James

    Jonglei governor unveils state strategies; asks citizens to listen
    Mr. Kuol:

    I have only one simple advice for you:-

    Please don’t let those who are driven by tribalism mislead you. I know when you use your own way of handling things, Jongolei will be a better place for all of us. Please take all those guns from every civillian of any tribe in fair and respectful process.

    There are a lot of dirty folks who are trying their best to lead you to the chaotic path and you should not accept their way of living.

    Remember, some of us love to see really peace not the peace or disarmament baged with tribalism and hatred against others. I am personally a human who need real peace, at the same time, I hate bloodshed from any human being. Those who disagree with me don’t quiet understand where I stand. All I want is real democracry where every citizen is treated as first class citizen. I hate tribalism, nepotism, favourism, self exaltion and all those negative believes. I don’t stand seeing somebody acting like better than me, my tribe or any other tribe, also, I hate to see my tribe terrorizing others or branded as raiders or child abductors. Please Kuol Manyang, Do right thing and you will not see anyone from us open his or her mouth.

    The strategies you issued are very good and I personally support them 100% if you really mean it without foreign covers.

    I hope you have access to my message.

    God bless.

    Reply
  • John Amule de Lokolong
    John Amule de Lokolong

    Jonglei governor unveils state strategies; asks citizens to listen
    First of all i would like to send my thanks to Sudan Tribune decision of taking serious control of this web,in fact i quit to used this site due to the abuses and all other un want words against States,tribes,people,insult,raciest,hatred and many more.Because those kind of words which have been used on this web by some brothers would not make anyone to feel comfortable whenever anyone say to you.and i believe that people must concentrate on the article rather than jumping to different opinions which are far from the article,please if you have your own idea nor issue,it is good if you can post it as separate article/opinion.

    Hope you agree

    Reply
  • Akau Malek
    Akau Malek

    Jonglei governor unveils state strategies; asks citizens to listen
    This is what we required out of you Gen. Kuol. We need a peaceful and prosperous Jonglei state where every citizen deserves no less than peace and harmony. We had been good example of peace loving southern sudanese but we are just dragged into aggressiveness by our fellow brothers in the northern sudan (jalaba) and some confused southerners who actually don’t understand being southerner is not by chance but a gift from God . With your new strategies in place, please implement them as soon as possible and let the long awaited sustainable development kick off in our motherland. Employment and corruption should be dealt with because thier existence indicates poor leadership and lack of concern. Your acheivements are known during our struggle and iam very much confident that Jonglei will automatically capitalised on your good and straight forward leadership.
    Die Hard southerner

    Reply
  • Kwanylualthoun
    Kwanylualthoun

    Jonglei governor unveils state strategies; asks citizens to listen
    Mr. Kuol Manyang

    When are you going to attend the international court of justice in The Hague, the Netherlands, given to the atrocities you committed during the struggle!! Will you really get a way with such crimes!!

    Reply
  • Justin Chicago opiny
    Justin Chicago opiny

    Jonglei governor unveils state strategies; asks citizens to listen
    Mr.Kuol Manyang You are doing great. A good leader must be creative , honest hardworking and democractically transparent making it easy for the nation to develop. Development comes through hard work of every abled person
    it does not just happen.

    You can have all the money in the world if you don,t put it to good use then nothing will show as far as development is concerned. keep up the good leadership by eliminating corruption,tribalism,nepotism and other ill faith that hinders development. Handle the the insecurity issue with care because our people lack understanding and people must be given a lot of education. Get the chiefs and educate them on security issues.Use the mass media as a tool to curb down on security just as they use the media for bringing awareness on HIV/AID. We have to stop the culture of violence it will take us nowhere.

    Reply
  • Kur
    Kur

    Jonglei governor unveils state strategies; asks citizens to listen
    A great man is doing a great job. God will guide and help you to make Jonglei a great place of peace ,development, free of corrupt practices, and become a model of good governance in South Sudan.

    Reply
  • James James
    James James

    Jonglei governor unveils state strategies; asks citizens to listen
    Dear Ngacholong(Akecdit)

    Your comment is really very touchy and penetrative to everyone’s heart. You put your comment in very peaceful, honest, fair and democratic format. I hope your prayers are recieve by God and prove it as you requested.

    No body want to see violent among his state, country or people,except only those evil hearted individuals. All of us need peace. But they are people who love to see peace in his house and love to see fire in other houses. However, things normally are not the way each of us are expecting.

    You know I don’t want to insult or criticize anybody, but yet I am still very flexible person that if these kids in this website want to joke, I will be very ready to lead them at the joking rally, and if all of us want to use the better part of our brain by extracting helpful truth, I will be also ready to contribute positively to my country and state. I can not allow any body to insult my country, state or leader and I have to keep quiet watching him/her tearing. Similarly, if somebody is trying to insult me, my community or leaders of course I can not wait to reply in the tone writer uses.

    Please Mr. Akechdit. let work togather for real peace and let avoid insulting each other so that we don’t have to go dirty against each other. Try to advice these young kids, use your dialect(Dinka language) for them to understand thoroughly. I want to see Dinka Bor, Murle,Nuer and Anyuak trading and visiting each other’s counties or villages freely again.

    Have very good week Akecdit.

    God bless.

    Reply
  • Andrew Malual
    Andrew Malual

    Jonglei states is going to develop more than lakes state
    To deceive Government is very risky. No crime”, No security, No sickness, No cure. The government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) is not a fool to given state money for construction monthly.
    However, they Commissioners and Directors of the states are first people in corruption because the knew whom are those workers, which place were been constructed since 2006 they were receiving money up to now, if you ask no single commissioner could specified it to you because they are getting percentage from employees.
    Mr. Kuol Manygang; we known you are open guy since you started self liberty in Jonglei state. Nice to spread it to everyone, because we citizens we like transparent person like you to tell us truth. If the money is paid to numerous workers for doing nothing,” No good foster for us again if people are still doing the same like before we were handless. Being free from corruption from all ten states of Southern Sudan is to avoid nepotism.
    Moreover; I read message coming from lakes state that H.E. Mr. Agok Manyiel Commissioner of Yirol West County, he measured for himself a plot of 100mx100m which is out of law land allotment and to everybody first class 50mx40, second 40mx30m etc. the above stated nobody will question him because he said that, he has special contact with president, and even if anything goes wrong, he is ever on the safe side. If you do something wrong and threaten people with your power that you are on mean that no need to keep such a people on ruling time because is supporting corruption, disappointing the community not to think and against the government according to his statement.

    Reply
  • Manyieldit
    Manyieldit

    Jonglei governor unveils state strategies; asks citizens to listen
    The Governor should do a reshuffling especially in the ministry of Health Jonglei state. The so-called Minister, DG and directors are just as figure but not for the progress of the ministry. They do not know what they suppose to do as the head of the office, only to sign for monthly payment and pocketed them then they proceed to burnt themselves with what is call Marritha (wine/alcohol)
    The health status and infrastructures are very poor in the state. people are dying with the preventable health problems, e.g. under five old children are now dying of childhood preventable diseases (measles, whooping cough, TB, Tetanus and diphtheria) while pregnant mothers are dying of malaria in pregnancy which can be simply prevented by giving of malaria prophylaxes and advice on sleeping under the mosquito net, which is the work of the MoH. these and more issue could have been solve if there was a well set up ministry of Health with the competent staff, not just the one whom were been appointed byname which was known long time ago with out assessing what he still know at this current situation which is full of new technology. many young professionals whom I know very well went to Bor for the work so that they make the Joglei a better place for living, all were now back to Equatoria looking for green pasture, as they were disappointed in the state by so-called director Generals (DGs). If the Governor want the state to be the good place for its citizen then let him look first into the issue of the Health then Education.

    Reply
  • SANTO DENG YAK
    SANTO DENG YAK

    Jonglei governor unveils state strategies; asks citizens to listen
    H.E Kuol Manyang Juuk, thanks for help which you wanted to offer to your people in Jonglei State. people of this area they like to kills themselves. one do slaughter his brother like a goat and looting of somebody property

    what our people known is only looting, physical fighting and and killing among themselves, while they don’t see what will happen and what is happaning in new Sudan. our people need to be told that, war was intiated in this place and it is a place which was affected since 1955 when first war broke out in Torit August 18 just four months before independent in 1956. so we don’t want more death.

    I don’t i understand why people behave so agressive to their brothers and sisters while we have common enemy mr. killers of the nation (Arab of Sudan)

    my dear leader care on with your duties and almighty God God will assist you and that is why we proud of you because your know what is affecting your civilian. some part of this State donot know what is called peace they do heard and hear but they don’t know the really meaning. not civilian alone but also interelectual.interelectual they don’t preaches peace message to the common people and they are the right people to do that.our people need to be told about what is called peace and what is called Government.

    thanks may God add your power

    SANTO DENG YAK

    Reply
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