The governor of Lakes State, General Rin Tueny Mabor Deng, said his main mission was to protect the lives and properties of people in the restive region.
Governor Tueny arrived in the state capital, Rumbek, on Monday, since his appointment on 8 June, to a welcome by a mammoth crowd at the Rumbek Freedom Square.
“My mission in Lakes State is to protect the people and their properties. That is the mission. How to do it is technical and that is why I am here in uniform as a professional soldier,” Gen. Tueny said. “We are aware of the crises in Lakes State. There is insecurity, rampant killings, community conflicts, revenge killings, cattle rustling, ambushes and killings along the highway, robbery and extortion of property, and so on. These are the main problems that need to be dealt with properly.”
The new governor appealed to all those who have killed people and those who committed other crimes to report themselves in person to police immediately and threatened drastic measures for those who fail to comply. He assured the community of Lakes State that he will work with them as one government serving one people.
The deputy governor of Lakes State, Poth Madit Dut, in his welcoming speech briefed the governor about the illegal occupation of public land by individuals, security stability within Rumbek town, and financial misappropriation by some government officials.
The UNMISS Coordinator for the Rumbek field office, Kwame Dwamena Aboagye, promised to help the new governor in resolving communal conflicts within Lakes State and also between Lakes, Warrap and Unity states.
“Your people are dying because of the guns and I want to assure you that we will help you in any way possible to ensure that the guns are collected. We need to stop the killings and I know you (governor) will be able to contribute to that effect,” Dwamena said. “Security is part of our concern as development partners and we know the insecurity is caused by sectional conflicts and we are willing to help in facilitating solutions. Another thing is that guns that have been taken through disarmament should not be returned to the community again.”
The Paramount chief of Rumbek Central County, Sabit Kuac Manyiel, appealed to Governor Tueny to do away with the rampant insecurity caused by the armed criminals in Lakes state. He assured that all the chiefs are committed to making sure communities are reconciled and illegal weapons are surrendered back to the government.
On 8 June, President Salva Kiir fired former governor Makur Kulang and replaced him with Gen. Rin Tueny Mabor as the new Lakes State governor.
Gen. Tueny was the governor of the defunct Eastern Lakes State before being appointed SSPDF Chief of Military Intelligence in February 2019. He moves from the military headquarters to now contain run-away sectional violence in the volatile Lakes State.