More than 60 participants are currently attending a three-day governor’s forum in Aweil, Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, aimed at promoting good governance and building cohesiveness between peace partners.
The forum, initiated by the government of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State with funding from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) was officially opened by the state governor Tong Akeen Ngor on Tuesday and will conclude on Thursday.
Abraham Wol Kom, the Northern Bahr el Ghazal State Information Minister said, "Indeed, the forum discusses the direction of governance. It actually reminds different political parties that they must work together as a unity government instead of working under different umbrellas of different political parties."
Awut Kuel Kuel, a member of the ruling party, SPLM party underscored the importance of the forum saying the government must be united to be able t provide services to the people of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State.
“Of course there are segregations in the government of national unity, if you are appointed as a governor, minister, or adviser in the state, you must work as son of this state to bring the services to your people. Please don’t differentiate yourselves among different political parties such as SPLM-IO, SPLM, SSOA, and OPP,” Kuel noted.
The UNMISS’ Acting Civil Affairs Division Team Leader in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Dawn Dunlop says the forum offers an opportunity for appointed officials to engage with representatives of the people and find ways to promote peace and unity.
“The Northern Bahr el Ghazal State governor’s forum is taking place today (Tuesday), this is an opportunity for local-level leaders, women, youth, CSOs, traditional leaders, and religious leaders to meet the newly appointed government officials, ministers, the governor, commissioners, and town mayors to discuss what they think will promote peace in the state, what ways to mitigate issues, how to reconcile the political parties, what are key priorities to be taken into account,” he added.