For a decade, Unity State (Western Upper Nile) has suffered from political turmoil and adversity, resulting in poor service delivery and widespread insecurity. Governor Nguen Monytuil’s actions, stemming from the 2013 civil war, have turned the state into his personal enterprise, instilling fear of atrocities, imprisonment, and joblessness among the populace.
Despite the national government contributing 3% to state revenue, these funds are misused, serving personal interests rather than the intended goals of benefiting the State and its community. Vulnerable MPs and the population of Bentiu live in constant fear of extrajudicial killings, with the judiciary disappearing in the state.
The dangerous practice of catering to negative elites has led to irreversible consequences for livelihood and development in this region known as the home of lions and lionesses. In oil-rich Bentiu, truth has become synonymous with backwardness, poverty, and uninformed states, while greed prevails as the guiding principle for those embracing leadership devoid of service provision.
Regrettably, domestic animosity fuelled by politicians and senior army generals is on the rise due to a governance system that prioritizes corruption over the unity and stability of the people. The current administration in Bentiu, led by self-centred individuals and smart in-laws, perpetuates a belief that government jobs are reserved exclusively for females or those connected to them. This harassment persists in the face of poverty, insecurity, and ignorance prevailing in the state.
Moreover, the Governor is falsely managing state affairs, disregarding constitutional mandates and obligations as he coerces workers with a culture of violence that has characterized his 11-year tenure. Numerous instances highlight the lack of leadership qualities felt by the people of Unity State. Governor Nguen Monytuil faces frequent assassination attempts, lacks support from the youth and intellectuals when compared to his predecessors, yet remains seemingly content with being disliked as he continues to mismanage state resources.
Nguen’s deceptive claims of road infrastructure in Bentiu, absent in reality, serve only to manipulate innocent citizens for support. However, the people, both in villages and towns, have seen through his formula of weak leadership and severe corruption in both the private sector and state administration. Notably, the Unity State Legislative Assembly remains the poorest and weakest department in South Sudan, despite the substantial oil share channelled into the Governor’s personal account, evident in representatives using plastic chairs and ordinary tables.
The Governor’s maltreatment of the State Judiciary reduces it to the level of village elders, leaving them powerless to voice concerns about being used as mere tools without any means of support. The Governor’s control over all aspects of the government – Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary – has created a situation where recruitment is based on relationships rather than merit, highlighting a lack of awareness of his limitations in the state.
While some frustrated members appreciate the Governor for receiving returnees from war-torn Sudan and Abyei Special Administrative Area, it is crucial to recognize that the same Governor displaced these individuals in the past due to his poor leadership, fostering insecurity, starvation, and hatred in Bentiu. Nguen Monytuil has failed to uphold the work of his predecessors and has not achieved anything noteworthy.
In Bentiu, several concerning issues persist:
-Employment lacks criteria and job descriptions.
-Development and accountability are allegedly still affected by the 2013/2014 crisis.
-Despite being educated, the Governor does not value education.
-Some counties under the Governor’s authority have been neglected.
-Harassment and intimidation of staff and those in need are a daily occurrence.
-Job seekers are willing to support anything, positive or negative, just to secure a job.
-The Governor has never attended a church service.
-He has never assessed the market to understand the challenges in the state.
-Governor Nguen has never paid a surprise visit to the sick and prisoners to assess their conditions.
-Nguen runs the state without a work plan, relying on misleading pictures unrelated to reality and infrastructure development.
-He has never condemned weird occurrences within and outside the state.
-State Ministers and MPs continue to struggle, as their administration believes the 2013 crisis has only affected Bentiu more than other states.
-The Unity State Government claims NGOs’ initiatives and efforts as its own achievements.
Peter Malieth Malek is a concerned citizen residing in Unity State. He can be reach via email: maliethpeter17@gmail.com
The views expressed in ‘opinion’ articles published by Radio Tamazuj are solely those of the writer. The veracity of any claims made is the responsibility of the author, not Radio Tamazuj.