The Jonglei State Two Acting Governors

Jonglei is the largest state in South Sudan measuring about 200,000 square kilometres. It borders Upper Nile, Lakes, Central Equatoria and Eastern Equatoria States. It is an easterly State bordering Ethiopia and Kenya. Like her sisterly states in former Upper Nile Province, Jonglei has vast oil reserves lying unexploited underground. These reserves were discovered in late seventies and early eighties by American Exxon Mobile and French company, Total. However, despite natural resource blessing, Jonglei state is only known for endemic conflict spanning decades on end.

Administratively, Jonglei State is divided in to eleven Counties namely; Duk, Uror, Nyirol, Akobo, Pibor, Bor, Twic East, Pochala, Fangak, Pigi and Ayod. The lower administrative divisions are Payams, Bomas and lastly villages.

The demographics of Jonglei is Nuer, Dinka, Anyuak, Murle, Kachip or Suri and lastly Jie. These grouping have fought themselves over cattle for centuries to satisfy their traditional needs like marriage and sustenance. The re-emergence of new conflict tends to further this age old enmity which is passed down to young generations.

The current rebellion has extended the suffering of the people of Jonglei in particular and greater Upper Nile in general. There was a glimpse of hope that the year 2014 was going to be different from other years since interim period. Nobody was aware that Riek Machar will be on the spotlight once again in spearheading internecine conflict over power. Bor, the capital of Jonglei since last December changed hand four times between the SPLA and rebels. The population of Bor is scattered to lakes, Central Equatoria and Eastern Equatoria besides neighbouring countries in this region. The Government of South Sudan is doing what it can but there is a funny twist in this endeavour. The acting Governor of the Jonglei State is stuck in Juba for reasons known to him.

The president of the Republic, Salva Mayardit issued an order for Governors of the three most affected States to return to their respective States to reactivate their duties in order to alleviate the suffering of Jonglei, Unity and Upper Nile. One Governor who did heed that called is John Koang Nyuon, the Governor of Jonglei. He is currently in the coordination office in Juba, doing nothing for the welfare of the State. Mr. John Koang was appointed late last year replacing Kuol Manyang as an acting Governor pending election in 60 days according to the country’s constitution. There are other two acting Governors in Lakes and Unity States whose tenures violate the country’s constitution. Two of these governors returned to his state after the presidential order and are now active on the ground in his state.

The Bor, Twic East and Duk County MPs several times have unsuccessfully requested the acting Governor to return to Bor to encourage the displaced people to return to Jonglei. The MPs are telling the acting Governor the obvious. They are the second voice after the president. His work station is Bor but not Juba! The president, the MPs and the people of Jonglei would like to see the acting Governor return because of the following reasons; his work station is Bor, to combat insecurity, to delivery basic services, to encourage displace people to return and finally to organise the State affairs which are devastated by war.

Mr. John Koang should know that he is illegally occupying the seat of Jonglei State Governor. He further, violates the South Sudan and Jonglei State constitutions by allowing another acting Governor in Bor while he stays in Juba. There are clauses in both constitutions which allow two governors at one time. In case he is not confidence in the state, he should resign with immediate effect to allow the President to appoint another acting Governor because that is what the war imposes on the three States of former Upper Nile.

John Koang is the current president appointed acting Governor for Jonglei. He is currently in exile in Juba while a Minister of Finance, Aquila Mam is the one on the ground in Bor carrying out duties on behalf of Nyuon. This is a constitutional crisis added to the current crisis prevalent in the nation.

The president of the country should urgently intervene to correct this anomaly in the State of Jonglei. If John Koang fears for anything in Bor he should make it clear to the people of Jonglei and the President of the Republic. The acting Governor should know that being a Governor comes with obligations and privileges. He is now enjoying privileges while churning obligations.

The five or six peaceful Counties in the State demand a committed Governor on the ground but not the one who cowardly procrastinate in Juba which is for Central Equatoria State and Central Government.

State Coordination offices are headed by State Coordinators but not Governors like Nyuon. Every citizen of Jonglei should think of this issue seriously.

Displaced people of Jonglei are languishing in Mingkaman, Guolyar because no one encourages them to return to Bor. The State Relief and Rehabilitation Commission try to persuade them but to no avail. If the top man, the Governor has no confidence in security of the State then who should spearhead the return to the State?

The Bor County Commissioner is the real man of the people. He stayed put with his people in Guolyar and was the first man to go to Bor when it was recaptured by SPLA forces on 18 January 2014. The few people who returned to Bor were encouraged by his presence there. The acting Governor should take hint from this man who has the interest of his people at heart.

I urge the people of Jonglei to call for relieve of John Koang for refusing to heed calls to return to Bor. The MPs should change their views and join the rest of us to call for his replacement with immediately. He should be replaced by somebody from the peaceful Counties in the State. The two acting Governors will cause more confusion than solving problems of the State.

David Yau Yau is fighting for division of Jonglei State since 2010. Since Jonglei is the largest State South Sudan, the rest of other Counties should join him for division of Jonglei to three States that will be peaceful with themselves. It should run like this; Bor, Twic East, Duk and Pigi should form one state. The Nuer Counties form the other and the last one Pibor and Pochalla. This way, the problems of Jonglei would be over. Cattle rustling, child abduction, war, destruction and pillage will things of the past.

In conclusion, the acting Governor should either go to his work station in Bor or step aside to allow the President to appoint a new acting Governor. The displaced people should be encouraged to return to Jonglei to join in food production because the rains are at hand. Jonglei State should be given a lease of new life with a committed Governor who attends to important issues on the ground.