Some citizens in Turalei area have objected to the establishment of the new Twic State capital at Mayen Abun, a leading community member said. They feel the capital should be located in Turalei itself.

President Salva Kiir decreed the creation of Twic State last October with its capital at Mayen Abun. The state consists of one former county, Twic County, which had its capital at Turalei.

According to Samuel Mayuen, a leading community member from Turalei area, Turalei citizens reject the decision moving the state capital from Turalei area to Mayen Abun village.

"We reject to participate in the government before we talk because we should talk,” he said. “We are all Twic, but we should sit and ask ourselves, why we decided to move the capital?"

He stressed that Turalei area was the county headquarters before the Establishment Order made Mayan Abun the capital of the new state.

Mayuen argued that Mayen Abun area is too small and that it cannot be the state capital. He accused leaders from Mayen Abun area of supporting the decision.

According to opposition parties in Juba, the decree by President Kiir creating the 28 states is illegal, but Kiir says the states are the demand of the people. Ceasefire monitoring group JMEC has called the Establishment Order a “violation” of the peace agreement.

Another source in Twic County confirmed to Radio Tamazuj that members of the community of Turalei, known as Amoul Gemdit, have rejected the establishment of the new state capital at Mayen Abun.

He said last month community leaders chose not to turn up at a reception for the new governor upon his arrival to the state. “They also warned the governor not to appoint any of their sons before Twic dialogue.”

“But on the 21 February 2016 a very big meeting held in Turalei attended by the Governor of Twic and former Warrap state governor. The meeting ended in futile when 13th Infantry Brigade Commander Ater Akuc threatened the community,” said the source in an email to Radio Tamazuj.