Rumbek community leaders on Tuesday urged residents to remain calm and refrain from further public debate over the proposed transfer of Rumbek Senior Secondary School premises to Rumbek University, saying the matter has been referred to President Salva Kiir for a final decision.
The appeal followed a meeting in Juba between Vice President Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, who chairs the services cluster, and representatives of the Rumbek Community Council.
The talks focused on a controversial announcement by Vice President Hussein during a visit to Rumbek, in which he said President Kiir had approved the donation of the Rumbek National Senior Secondary School premises to the Rumbek University of Science and Technology.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Dut Makoi Kuok, spokesperson for the Rumbek community, said the council restated its opposition to the proposed transfer and urged the government to reverse the decision.
“We have explained our position as a community and requested the government to revoke the donation,” Kuok said. “The vice president has promised to raise our request with the country’s leadership. We are pleased and urge our community to remain calm and not to discuss this issue further, as it has now been handled by the authorities.”
Akol told the delegation he would present their concerns to President Kiir, who also serves as chancellor of public universities in South Sudan.
Agany Geng, acting press secretary in the vice president’s office, said Akol had listened to the community’s concerns and would brief the president before relaying feedback.
“The vice president has committed to report to the president and will provide feedback as soon as possible,” Geng said. “The government will address this matter amicably with all stakeholders. We ask the public to be patient as the issue is handled at the highest level.”
The dispute stems from Akol’s recent remarks in Rumbek, where he said Kiir had approved the donation of the school premises to the university, a move that prompted concern among sections of the local community.
Rumbek Secondary School, established in 1948 during the Anglo-Egyptian colonial period, is among the oldest secondary schools in present-day South Sudan. Located in Rumbek, Lakes State, it has educated generations of political, military and professional leaders.
The proposed relocation has continued to generate public debate in recent days.
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