The residents of Warrap have expressed different opinions on the frequent change of the state’s governor by President Salva Kiir.
Whereas some view it as offering opportunity for a new beginning, others feel the changes contribute little, especially to ensuring security.
President Kiir on Wednesday night appointed Gen Akol Koor Kuc the new Governor of Warrap, having sacked him as the Director General of the Internal Security Bureau of the National Security Service. Gen Kuc replaces Kuol Muor Muor.
A Kuajok town youth, Lual Malueth, said the former governor did not have a good relationship with the local governments and that contributed to the recurring communal violence in the counties.
“I think it was good to change the governor because he did not have good relations with the local governments. The former governor’s approach to peace was not embraced by the locals, hence the many conflicts and violence,” he said.
Lueth hoped that the new governor would fix the security problems, having served as the national security chief for numerous years.
A Kuac community youth, Achuil Kuch, said the former governor was not cooperating with the local communities, hence the need to replace him.
“The changes are not bad, it is the routine business of the government to give a chance to everyone because there is no permanent leader,” he said
“The governor was not cooperating and working with the communities of Warrap State. He dictated his will and that is why the change came. Communities were unhappy with his administration,” he added.
“The incoming governor and former NSS chief is a good man. I know him well and he will solve the problems in Warrap State because he supported development when he served as commissioner for greater Tonj before the agreement between Sudan government and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) in 2005,” Kuac further said.
Athil Agany said change of governors would not solve communal hatred. Instead, the people of Warrap State should embrace each other as brothers and sisters and refrain from hostilities.
“My opinion is that even if we change governors everyday, it will not solve any problem. We should instead prioritize peace and dialogue between the conflicting communities.
“We must be peacemakers ourselves and understand one another. Changing the governor day and night would not solve anything,” she said.
Agany said she expects Governor Kuc to initiate communal dialogue in the counties where armed youth engaged in killings. President Kiir as often exercised his powers to appoint and fire officials, sometimes only a few months after their appointment.