Governors for 28 States: Winners and Losers
By Philip Thon Aleu, Kampala, Uganda
December 26, 2015 (SSB) – The winners and losers are proponents and opponents of Presidential Establishment Order Number 36 that created 28 states in October 2015.
But there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Politically speaking, Governors Rizik Hassan Zacharia (Lol state) and Luis Lobong Lojore (Namorunyang state) remain the only elected and long serving state leaders and the forefront winners of Republican Decree Number 40 for the appointment of 28 state governors. Prime losers include David Yau Yau – who had ruled Greater Piboer Administrative Area (GPAA) for former rebels, the Cobra Faction, since May 2014. The GPAA is now lifted to the Boma state and handed over to Baba Beda Konyi. Other losers are John Kong Nyuon (ex-Jonglei state leader) and Matur Chut (ex-Lakes governor).
There are opportunities amidst the challenges posed by creation of more states.
The first opportunity is that President Savla Kiir has, for the first time, selected governors proposed by the people. This is a giant step toward giving people the power to choose their leaders. It is called Democracy. For instance, the nominated Jonglei state governor, Col. Philip Aguer Panyang, was selected through free and fair processes that involved secret ballots at certain stages. Col. Aguer is expected to lead by the will of the people because the same process that brought him to power could remove him.
Another advantage for division of the country into more states is that individual states, which are ethnically homogeneous, will hold accountable their own sons and daughters without causing havoc to rival tribe. This is particular vital because there were allegations of county commissioners misappropriating salaries and county grants but ironically blame it on the state governors from certain tribe.
The results were tribal feuds and ethnic oriented hatred. This worked favourably for politicians who benefited from the crisis. Given the high level of illiteracy, this tribal states be used as engine to build schools, hospitals and instill self-reliance over the next twenty or more years.
Afterwards, a different type of demarcating the country could be decided when most citizens are able to understand independently that we can live peacefully together.
Right now, every state will have to prove that they are capable of ruling themselves without necessarily blaming rival tribe for their failures.
The biggest challenge is the reliance of state governments on Juba for salaries, road construction, accommodation etcetera and literally misusing every single pound collected locally. Financing these huge governments will be a challenge. In this case, the president and his camp got to be serious about accountability and transparency.
There are sufficient funds and resources in South Sudan and what is required is a proper management. We need people with ‘geek’ (sharp protective devices) on their lips as finance ministers and state MPs to scrutinize utilization of state resources. If there are individuals vying for state offices with intention to accumulate wealth, let’s send them to private sector. South Sudanese people will be losers if there are no good managers.
For the political losers and winners of this appointment of state governors, let’s give benefit of doubt and be patience. It pays to wait than rushing. Elections will come and you will prove your popularity comes 2018.
Let’s use the opportunities provided by this decision to move our country forward. As for the peace agreement with SPLM in opposition, their share have to be taken into consideration. We cannot afford another war. The ball is now in the court of President Kiir to end the war by respecting the peace agreement.
The implementation process ought to proceed and SPLM In Opposition be given their political share; of course in consultation with the people.
There is no reason to blame President Salva Kiir for appointing governors for 28 states when the SPLM In Opposition sent 609 members of advance team to 21 states. I strongly believe the SPLM-IO and government will sort out this issue amicably.
Philip Thon Aleu is a journalist and can be reached at pthonaleu@gmail.com
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