South Sudan President Salva Kiir on Monday hosted a community meeting bringing together members of Koma and Gajaak communities who are making up Maiwut state, advising them to stay together instead of Koma joining Northern Upper Nile state.
Ali Adlan, a Member of Parliament representing Koma area at the National Legislative Assembly, told Radio Tamazuj on Monday that President Kiir advised the two communities of Gajaak and Koma to live together in peace and harmony.
President Kiir, according to Ali who was one of the leading community leaders advocating for joining Northern Upper Nile instead of staying with Gajaak in Maiwut state, promised to do his best to extend development projects to his area as well as ensuring that equitable share of power and resources.
“His Excellency the president of the republic, General Salva Kiir decided that we stay together with Gajaak community in Maiwut state. This is the outcome of the meeting we had with him today (money) and is the message we shall transmit to the community members here in Juba and at home,” said Ali.
Gabriel Tut, an advisor to Maiwut state governor, also confirmed in a statement broadcast by the state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) on Monday evening that the two communities have agreed to live together as one people sharing their own state in compliance with President Kiir’s advice.
Koma County Commissioner Hassan Bali Tik thanked President Kiir for breaking the impasse which has led to the delay of the state government formation since the governor was appointed.
Bali pledged and assured readiness of his community to cooperate and work together to unite and work hard for peace and support the national dialogue process through the grassroots level.
Maiwut state parliamentary speaker Choul Dep Kiir said the position of the deputy governor has allocated to the community of Koma left to Koma. “The impasse has been resolved and now the nominee for the position of deputy governor will be given to the president within two to three days for appointment from Koma community members,” he explained.
“So the Koma community got something that I think they are now happy. They are already in celebratory mood,” he added.