Another Twist in the formation of Greater Pibor Administrative Area
By Malith Alier, Juba
The formation of GPAA no longer makes headlines in the country. However, today, 3 September 2014 has seen another decree appointing two deputies to Hon. David Yauyau, the Administrator of the newly formed quasi Pibor State, quasi in the sense that, the head of that State is equal to a governor of a state but under the Office of the President.
For reference purposes, the President of the Republic decreed the formation of GPAA on 30 July 2014 while its head was appointed after consultations a few days later.
The formation of GPAA is not necessarily a bad thing; it may be a blessing in disguise not only to Jonglei but also to the entire country. The three Counties of Bor, Twic East and Duk are experiencing a relative peace like never before as a result. This is a firm belief of this author.
The formation of GPAA is a blue print for those who are calling for ethnic federalism in the country. These groups include the rebels and those who are giving pressure to the government within its ranks.
To the critics of this move, be informed that GPAA was negotiated by the church leaders under intense circumstances as exerted by the current Riek Machar rebellion. The government couldn’t manage two rebellions simultaneously. It was only apparent something had to be done to avoid that scenario. The possibility of the two rebel groups merging a reality.
This writer has written about five journals on the topic of formation GPAA under David Yauyau, the theologian turned rebel leader and now politician. Perhaps it is time to write a volume for posterity on the same.
Coming back to the story, if your guess is as good as mine, the officials appointed as deputies to the new Administrator are one Anyuak and one Jie to assist a Murle in the person of that Administrator. The assistants appointed will head administration and finance on the one hand and “services” on the other hand.
This is good because it is power sharing among the communities who were hitherto reluctant to form one cohesive unit in Pibor area. The Jie and one section of Anyuak voiced concern for the same administration under Murle.
The twist in the formation of GPAA is that, as much as it was envisaged to be like a state of its own, it is now like a University of Juba administration. This is so, because the two deputies are like the two Deputy Vice Chancellors assisting the University Vice Chancellor as under administrative and finance and that of academic affairs. There is hardly any difference at all between the administration of the Universities and that of GPAA.
The first twist was that, the peace deal was negotiated and inked by church leaders but not directly by the government. The agreement was handed to the government on a silver plate for endorsement. This helps explain why the sons of Greater Pibor Area are marooned in Bor in the former uniting State.
They are now in a political limbo where they can easily be challenged by anybody for political prostitution. It has never happened anywhere in this country to exchange politicians between states. Even that of civil servants is nonexistent.
The problems of Greater Pibor Area are numerous, not only in the current context but also in the past. Greater Pibor is inhabited by pastoralists, mainly the Murle who do not get on well or give breath to neighbours because of cattle. The issue of cattle was later expanded to include child abduction perhaps because of barrenness among the Murle.
A simple understanding of existing States as enshrined in Constitution of South sudan is that, they’re headed by a Governor and Council of Ministers as the executive body on the one hand and State Legislative Assembly on the other hand. There is also a State judiciary to interpret laws of the State.
The agreement with South Sudan Democratic Movement, Cobra Faction of 2014 in Addis Ababa stipulated that the head of GPAA has a status similar to a state Governor. It therefore, goes without saying that the nascent state in the east should have the same structures like other states in the country. However, it may be a matter of time before this is done.
Greater Pibor area is vast and requires full administration like other states in the country. Any other than that is insufficient. The reports coming from the area is that, the area lacks qualified personnel which partly explain its underdevelopment. Doctors, teachers and other specialised skills are direly in short supply.
It simply means that the marooned sons and daughters of GPAA in Jonglei State Government have a major role to play in the new administration. They can either continue in politics in Pibor or be of any other service to Greater Pibor Administrative Area.
It is not wise to completely entrust the entire GPAA to the inexperienced young rebels leaving out the most experienced in another state that does not need them. The remaining nine Counties in the State have highly qualified sons who can filled in the posts current manned by people who have opted out of the extant State.
In short, the creation of Pibor Administrative Area is a blue print for the future federal State in the Republic of South Sudan. The current trend in quest for federalism is unstoppable not event by the SPLM.
This is evidenced in the creation of GPAA albeit under rebellion. The Government of South Sudan and the head of GPAA should be bold enough to incorporate their citizens without favour or fear.
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