Persons with disabilities in Eastern Equatoria State have petitioned the state governor, Louis Lobong Lojore to ensure that they are represented in the state government.
While reading the petition to the governor on Tuesday, James Amos Ochan, a technical advisor to persons with disabilities said they have for long been marginalized by the leadership in the state.
“We would like to bring to your attention the representation of persons with disabilities in the revitalized transitional legislative assembly and the state executive,” Ochan said.
He added, “Since the independence of South Sudan, our participation in the decision-making process and the political arena was not considered, and we feel discriminated based on disability. This has violated our fundamental rights”.
Susan Ifuho, the chairperson of visually impaired persons, urged the state government to ensure persons with disabilities are supported.
“We are not seeing our reality, they only say these are disabled, but we have a lot of wisdom that can help South Sudan. We need support that’s why we came in front of you,” she said.
William British Noel, head of the association for persons with disabilities, urged Governor Lobong to ensure one of their members is appointed in the state government.
“There are places in the government where disabled can to be put. We need a position when the government is formed. We need our members to be appointed in this government,” he said.
Noel also urged the governor to consider women representation in the state.
For his part, Governor Louis Lobong hailed persons with disabilities for openly sharing their grievances with his government.
“You are heroes of this country and without your efforts, this country would not have succeeded. I want to assure you that the 35% affirmative action for women and 20% for youth and representatives of persons with disabilities are all available,” he said.
Lobong vowed to initiate projects to support persons with disabilities in the state.