By Philip Thon Aleu
November 13, 2009 (BOR) – Jonglei Governor Kuol Manyang Juuk says in Bor on Thursday he “will never attempts to convince” southerners to prefer unity comes 2011 because the presidency of the Republic of the Sudan has failed to make unity attractive.
- Gov. Kuol Manyang Juuk (photo by Philip Thon Aleu - ST)
Speaking to reporters, Gov. Kuol stated that "the presidency is the body shoulder with development" but 4 years since peace was reached, Jonglei remain without roads.
"We can not move to many areas in Jonglei state throughout the year because there are no roads," Gov. Kuol says adding that the state can not afford funding roads projects.
"Only three counties are accessible in a year and other counties are accessible during dry seasons – which last only three months," Gov. Kuol noted in response to a Juba based journalist asking what steps the State government is taking to minimize insecurity and engaged local people in productive activities.
Gov. Kuol then swiftly handed down the blames on the presidency saying “I’m not happy with the policy of the government [of national unity]” in reference to funding of national projects including roads construction in the south.
“Are we not part of the Sudan?” Gov. Kuol stressed adding “the presidency is the body shoulder with development so that unity is made attractive. If referendum [day] comes, I never attempt to convince the people to choose unity,” he says but fell short to call for separation but adds “because I nothing to tell them.”
The 2005 peace accord – the comprehensive peace agreement (CPA) between the former rebels; the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and Sudan’s ruling party, the NCP, grants referendum to southern Sudanese to choose either separation or confirming the unity of Africa’s largest nation in January 2011. The Government of National Unity (GoNU) – also part of agreement, was formed with SPLM presented at levels of governments including the presidency. However, the former guerilla fighters in the SPLM that govern the semi-autonomous south in Juba always complain of under funding from NCP dominated GoNU.
But at the wake of voter registration leading to national polls in April, 2010, SPLM leaders started beating drums seen as leading the country to a spilt. The SPLM Chairman Salva Kiir Mayardit’s reference to Dr. John Garang’s word of choice between unity and separation on October 30, 2009 at a church in Juba caused panic and criticism in Khartoum among northern authorities who believe unity is still attainable.
“If you want to vote for unity so that you will become a second class citizen in your own country, that is your choice. If you would want to vote for independence so that you are a free person in your independent state, that will be your own choice,” South Sudan President Kiir said adding “we will respect it.”
VOTER REGISTRATION ROW
On voter registration in Jonglei state, Gov. Kuol told reporters on Thursday that “registration is very bad.”
In particular, Pigi County is yet to start the exercise leading to next year’s polls. The northern county is rocked with internal disputes over constituency allocation and conflicts with neighboring Shilluk ethnic group from Upper Nile state. At least 2 people died in the latest clashes between Pigi and Shilluk tribesmen – one on both side, a source told the Sudan Tribune.
Gov. Kuol calls on Southern Sudan authorities to intervene since Shilluk – Pigi conflict is inter-state problem.
Most areas could not be reached by roads, voter registration officers move long distances, Gov, Kuol says. On the other hand, cattle keepers are “highly mobile” making tracing their resident hard.
(ST)
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