BY MORRIS KUOL YOLL
As the saying goes, “Choose a wrong leader and you suffer the abuses of his inabilities.” This sentiment rings true for Warrap State’s Twic County which has suffered from a lack of representation, seemingly orchestrated by the authorities to marginalize its people.
Although Twic County did not elect its commissioner or governor, the statement above aptly describes the current situation. The national government has ensured that the Governor of Warrap and the Commissioner of Twic County are individuals who turn a deaf ear to the insecurity and grievances of the county’s residents.
The lack of representation has now reached the county level, as evidenced by Governor Francis Marial Abur’s failure to understand the conflict between Twic County and the Abyei Special Administration. Recently, it was revealed that the governor ordered soldiers in Malual Aleu to shoot at civilians who were on their way to check on their families during a conflict in Athony village. Governor Marial claimed he gave orders to stop these people from going to Athony. Surprisingly, the Commissioner of Twic County, Adhar Akok, publicly downplayed the killing of these innocent people, attributing it to a misunderstanding.
Commissioner Adhar appears compromised, as he remains silent on incidents that threaten the county’s security. Governor Marial, on the other hand, believes that Abyei is part of Warrap State and does not view the encroachment of the Abyei Administration into Twic County land as a violation of state territory. During the last Governor’s Forum, Gen. Marial failed to assert that Athony Airport cannot be developed as Abyei Airstrip because Athony is part of Warrap State. Instead, he allowed Twic County land to be given to the Abyei Special Administration, thinking Abyei falls under his jurisdiction.
In conclusion, the people of Twic County have endured significant hardships due to the lack of representation and the resulting insecurity. The actions of the current leadership have only exacerbated these issues, leaving the community vulnerable and unheard. It is unfair for the national government to fortify the Abyei Administration to develop Twic County land as its own. It is unjust for national leaders, President Salva Kiir Mayardit and First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, to facilitate the theft of Twic County territory by granting Abyei authority the right to develop Athony Airport as Abyei territory. It is illogical for national leaders to suppress Twic County in favor of the Abyei Administration and then hope for peace between the two communities. National leaders, including their governors, need to resolve the land conflict between Twic County and the Abyei Administration and bring peace between these communities before discussing development in disputed territories. Only then can Twic and Abyei communities hope to thrive and achieve their full potential.
Morris Kuol Yoll resides in Canada and be reached at myoll2002@yahoo.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 author’s responsibility, not Radio Tamazuj’s.