TONJ STATE NEEDS MORE COUNTIES
By Madhieu Thiep Madhieu, Tonj, South Sudan
February 4, 2016 (SSB) — The creation of 28 states by the president of the Republic in which Tonj state is among them was overwhelmingly received and welcomed with jubilations by almost all South Sudanese people across the country and particularly Tonj citizens. Thousands of citizens have applauded and blessed this historic establishment order, though some voices from individuals who are enemies of good things in South Sudan remained opposed, and are still squandering their energies calling for revocation of this beautiful administrative order. The decree came at time when people of South Sudan need services and towns near to them especially in rural areas.
The IGAD and so called international community have nothing to do with our affairs and must be urged to cease from singing their damn song of revocation of people’s popular demand. This is an administrative change and has no effect on implementation of the peace agreement as many people thought it as a violation of some provisions in the agreement.
It is very difficult for the president Salva Kiir to issue another order to rescind people’s demand and this must be clear to those who have opened their filthy mouths yawning for the reverse of 28 states. Creation of more states by the president isn’t a crime against humanity or does it negatively affect the recent signed peace agreement, but it simply means devolving services closer to the rural villages.
The people of the newly created state of Tonj in their hundreds are in support of the decision made by the government and are ready to depend it by hook or crook. Many communities including Tonj community had been demanding their separate states right after our independence from Sudan, but our government had never put this idea into consideration. If the demand of people is fulfilled today, then no one on this planet should temper and repeal it without wider consultation from the communities.
Now that we have twenty eight states in the country, what next is the creation of counties and development of these new borne states? The people of Tonj are happy with their large state although there was little disappointment especially from the youths as to why did Tonj remains one entity instead of two. This makes me to question the criteria applied by the authority to create these states.
If it is in term of population and geographical area, then Tonj is more qualify then others to be awarded with two or three states. The mechanism used by our government in the allocation of these states to the people remains unknown and it is our topic of research.
It is now a gone case and I am just like chewing the fat over the already done issue. My mean argument is very simple, and it is none other than creating more counties for Tonj state and any other big state like it. Tonj had missed to be divided into two; hence the government should give it special consideration and allow it to have more counties. In term of establishment of the new counties, Tonj state shouldn’t be compare and level the same with smallest states that are currently enjoying the merit of being small and honored with state.
I proposed Tonj state should have at least 10 counties minimum because of it large geographical area and demographic criterion. Creating more local administrative units for Tonj state will uproot the emotional doubt and automatically bring down the rampant communal killings that had claimed so many precious lives. By giving more counties the government will be next to the people’s doors and response mechanism would be easy in case of conflict outbreak.
Of course Tonj state might not be the only bigger locality in the country, but it deserves to have many counties to compensate their demand for two states and the suffering it underwent during and after liberation struggle.
During the colonial era, all the social taxes collected from most parts of Greater Bahr el Ghazal region were transported by human and brought to Tonj district were the British Government was based. It is historical district not only because of it beautiful environment or being used by British as a base, but had also produce fruitful leaders who are currently serving in our government.
The former 19 chiefdoms of Tonj district had contributed uncountable things both humans and materials support to the liberation war just like other chiefdoms in South Sudan.
My demand for 10 counties or more is a peaceful request and must be taken as a concern that needs an answer from the line authorities. The government should this time satisfy Tonj community not by giving them positions or money, but creating more counties for them, so that they don’t think of being left backward or rather feel marginalize.
The writer can be reached at:madhienthiep@gmail.com
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