Members of Aguok Chiek community, a section of the ethnic Dinka in Gogrial state have issued a statement rejecting hold a community conference in Gogrial town, citing impending unrest over the manner in which the transfer of community leadership is being arranged.
“We the Aguok Chiek have rejected the conference to be conducted in Gogrial area of Aguok Chiek,” reads a statement bearing the name of Wek Maperdit Agany, who identifies himself as the representative of the Aguok community.
“We knew the post was for us and it was taken by the same people. We have already declared our own leadership and independent community, therefore, we are requesting your office to take this meeting either to Alek or elsewhere but not in Gogrial town,” the protest letter addressed to the county commissioner adds.
The letter also called for withdrawal of an armed militia group which had allegedly deployed in the area to provide protection to participants of the summit.
“Second, we have seen a huge armed Tit-weng in the town,therefore, we request you to let them leave Gogrial town. What we have seen here in the market is not a good mood,” the letter dated 25 March and which was extended to Radio Tamazuj on Sunday adds in part.
Akol Wek Nyinkuany Agoth, a prominent youth leader from the area said the youth leadership does not allow illegal deployment of armed groups and called for immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the group from the town and the surrounding areas.
Akol explained that tension was sparked after the community learned that Governor Abraham Gum Makuac wants to impose the selection of Makiir Gai, a business tycoon, as the community leader of the entire Aguok community.
Makiir, according to community leaders and several local officials, is not the choice of the community but has allegedly used the governor as one of his one business associates to impose his selection.
Preparations to install him as community leader have however been rejected by community leaders, asserting that his cousin, former Gogrial West county commissioner, Aciec Kuot had held the post for eight years and that it should now go to another section in the community.