Three governors in South Sudan said they are not aware of reasons behind President Kiir’s order declaring a three-month state of emergency in Gogrial, some parts of Tonj, Wau and Aweil East states.
The governor of Wau state Andrea Mayar told Radio Tamazuj that he has not yet received the order and that he did not know the reasons for declaration of the state of emergency in his state by Kiir.
However, he said the decision could be linked to recent incidents of insecurity along the common borders with Tonj and Gogrial state.
The police commissioner in Aweil East State John Dak said he was not aware of the reasons that prompted Kiir to declare the state of emergency in his state, saying Aweil East state is stable.
The deputy governor of Tonj state Manim Bol also said he was not aware of the state of emergence declared in Tonj state, adding that his state is stable and has never witnessed any insecurity with its neighbours.
The governor of Gogrial state Gregory Deng Kuac denied reports that the state of emergency was imposed in response to increased tribal conflict and revenge killings between Apuk and Aguok clans.
He pointed out that the details of the declared state of emergency remain unclear. However, Governor Gregory expressed his readiness to implement the state of emergency declared by President Kiir.
It is the second time for South Sudan to declare the state of emergency after a curfew was imposed in Juba following clashes that erupted in December 2013.
The last state of emergency in the country was declared in 2014 in Unity and Jonglei states when opposition troops had taken control of Bor and Bentiu towns.