The Warrap State Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement Agencies suspended eight chiefs from the Kuach community, including their renowned Paramount Chief Joseph Kuol Amet, following a petition they presented to the Speaker of the State Assembly recently.
On June 24, the Kuac Ayok community petitioned the government through the Warrap State Assembly, demanding the removal of the Gogrial West County Commissioner, the Director General of Local Government, and some security heads. The petitioners claimed these officials were responsible for the death penalty imposed on Lual Ngong and others.
The death penalty for Lual Ngong resulted from the “Green Book,” a by-law adopted by the Warrap State government, which mandates execution by firing squad for those found guilty of murder. An official familiar with the case provided this information to Radio Tamazuj.
On Monday evening, the Warrap State Minister of Local Government announced the suspension of Kuac Ayok community Paramount Chief Joseph Kuol Amet and seven other chiefs. The suspension was broadcast on Warrap State Radio, 99.0 FM. The chiefs were suspended following a petition presented to the State Assembly, which contained threats against the commissioner and proposed the withdrawal of the Kuac community from Gogrial West County.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, Paramount Chief Joseph Kuol Amet confirmed the suspensions and his house arrest. “I spoke with you Radio Tamazuj the previous day, and what happened on Monday was that I was suspended by the Minister of Local Government, following directives from the Warrap State Council of Ministers. I was told to remain at home, but I have not yet received the suspension letter. Another seven chiefs from my area were also suspended,” he said.
Achuil Kuc, the Kuac Ayok youth leader, described the suspension as unjust, arguing that the chiefs were simply claiming their rights from the state government. He called on the Warrap government to revoke the suspension.
“Kuac Ayok chiefs submitted a petition to the state government through the assembly to address their grievances. Initially, they were told to wait for the governor’s return from Juba. Later, the Minister of Local Government demanded that the chiefs apologize to the acting government for writing the petition. When the chiefs refused, the Minister of Local Government suspended them,” Kuc explained.
Kuc stated that submitting a petition is the proper way for the community to seek their rights from the government and called for the reinstatement of the suspended chiefs.
“Our chiefs have been suspended, and we do not want to resort to violence because this is our government. We are waiting for the government’s response to our petition. This is the correct way to express our demands, not through suspension. A petition is a peaceful way to show our concerns,” Kuc said.
The Kuac Ayok youth leader appealed to the Warrap State government to revoke the suspension, emphasizing that writing a petition is not a crime and should not be seen as inciting violence within the community.
Elia Mawien, the Warrap State Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement Agencies, admitted responsibility for suspending the chiefs, alleging that the Kuac community chiefs and youth were attempting to cause unrest in the state.
“On June 24th, the Kuac Ayok community, particularly from the office of Paramount Chief Joseph Kuol Amet, wrote a petition alleging injustices inflicted on them by state and county authorities. They highlighted their concerns, including the killing of Lual Ngong, a victim of the Green Book,” Mawien said.
Mawien explained that it is the ministry’s responsibility to suspend chiefs if they are seen as creating chaos in the community. He noted that the Kuac community had previously written a similar petition demanding the removal of the county commissioner on December 12, 2023.
“The Kuac community claimed that Lual Ngong was killed without considering other rights that might have spared him from a murder accusation. This community has had issues with the commissioner since last year. They also stated they did not want the Director General of Local Government and other heads of organized forces. I suspended the chiefs because the youth were advancing their petition’s demands by stopping taxes at the Yithliet checkpoint, Kuajok market, and auctions,” Mawien said.