The governor of Upper Nile State has reassured that his state is secure and stable despite the occasional inter-communal clashes there.
In an interview with Radio Tamazuj, Budhok Ayang Anei Kur, explained, “Since we assumed office there has been relative stability apart from the eastern counties where there are occasional sectional clashes which we are addressing momentarily.”
The governor pointed out that his government is making efforts with community leaders to stop the cyclic reprisals that have been carried out by young people.
“We are now engaging and talking to the local communities to forget the past and turn a new page. We are talking to the leaders of the communities in the counties to the east so that they stop inter-communal fighting,” Governor Budhok said. “We are also engaged in a program of healing and reconciliation between the Dinka, Nuer, and Shilluk. We have also engaged the communities in Maban County. We urge the people to reconcile and live in harmony like it was in the past.”
Asked about when the Malakal Town mayor will take the oath of office, Governor Budhok said that consultations are underway for the appointment of deputy mayor, and then they will all take the oath of office and assume their responsibility in the coming days.
“The truth is that we are consulting on some small issues and hopefully we will soon appoint a deputy mayor and we will soon swear in both of them-the mayor and his deputy,” he said.
The governor further said some commissioners have not been able to report to their stations because of poor roads and floods in the areas.
“The issue is not that some commissioners cannot access their areas due to insecurity but because of bad roads, swamps and floods. You can’t get to some of these places using ordinary transport. For example, for Ulang, Nassir, and Maiwut you need air transport. So we are coordinating with our brothers in UNMISS to help out,” he added.
Governor Budhok pointed out that the internally displaced people in the UN camps may stay longer in the camps due to the current situation there.
“The current situation of Malakal town is not conducive for citizens to return to their homes due to the great destruction that occurred during the conflict. It will even be difficult for the people to identify their former plots and homes,” Budhok said. “And now the rains are starting and it would be difficult for them to dismantle their makeshift homes in the PoC and relocate them. It is important that we wait for the dry season and then they can go back to their homes.”
He added that the ministry of lands will also have to help in marking and identifying the plots, “So all these factors make it difficult for citizens to return to their homes at present.”
The governor emphasized security and peace as the main pillars of his government. He said he had issued directives to county commissioners to build peace, cohesion among citizens, open roads and remove checkpoints to facilitate the movement of citizens between all the counties.