Minister of Presidential Affairs Hon: Nhial Deng Nhial on press conference.
June 17th, 2020
Minister of Presidential says six states allocated to former incumbent transitional Government, the SPLM-IO to appoint 3 governors and Opposition Alliance take one state.
This end the impasse on the issues of states that delay the appointment of governors since the Unity government was formed in February.
Minister Nhial Dneg Nhial says the former incumbent TGoNU will appoint the governors of, Centre Equatoria, Lakes, Eastern Equatoria, Unity, Northern Bhar El Gazal and Warrap.
The SPLM-IO takes Upper Nile, Western Bhar El Gazal and Western Equatoria while Jonglei allocated to Opposition Alliance.
“His Excellency the president and the First Vice president have now agreed that the states of the Republic of South Sudan shall be allocated among the parties. The former government of national unity shall nominate the governor for each of the following six states: Northern Bhar El Gazal, Warrap, Lakes, Eastern Equatoria, Central Equatoria and Unity states. The SPLM – IO shall nominate governor for each of the following three states: Western Bhar Al Gazal, Western Equatoria and Upper Nile, The South Sudan Opposition Alliance – SSOA shall nominate the governor for Jonglei. Nhial said”
The Minister further stated that others issues includes reconstitution of parliament and power sharing at the states will address.
South Sudan Opposition Alliance who is also a party to the peace agreement divided over the state allocated to them.
A group within the Alliance rejected the decision reached between President and First Vice President that give SSOA Jonglei State
In the statement issued by Josephine Lagu who led the faction of the group said they want Upper Nile in accordance to the earlier Presidency allocation which SPLM-IO rejected.
The other faction led by Dr. Lam Akol welcome the development and congratulate the principals for ending the deadlock over the allocation of states.
Others Opposition parties known as OPP left out from the governorship position. The leader of OPP- Peter Mayen who is also the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs said they have given their position to former Incumbent TGoNU lead by the President.
But his colleagues in the group’s cetirizine the move described it as violation to the peace agreement.
However, Civil society welcome the allocation of states and urges the parties to appoint governors this week. He warned the political leaders not to support communal fight as tools to get in power.
Edmund Yakani,is the Director of Community Empowerment and progress Organization- CEPO. He spokes to me in this interview
Last week, UN special Representative in South Sudan David Shearer said absence of governors and local authorities increase the violent at the states