Civil society and faith-based groups call for speedy formation of Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal state government

Oct 2, 2020(Nyamilepedia) — Civil society and faith-based groups in Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal State have called for the speedy formation of a state government to strengthen peace and security and improve service delivery.

In a forum organized by UNMISS, speakers emphasized on the need for the new government to always have what is best for the state as a whole in mind.

The attendees recommended the appointment of qualified and experienced people.

“We recommend that qualified and experienced people are appointed. That way the next government will be able to deliver essential services, like better roads,” said Mayoul Diing Mayoul, representing the Civic Engagement Center.

Agou Kon, one representative of a local faith-based group noted that a delay in the formation yields a negative impact on everyone living there.

“Forming a state government has delayed, and this has a big negative impact on everyone living here,” Kon said.

“If you are not selected to be part of the government, you should not feel as if you have been rejected. Instead you should accept the decision and let your brother take the position,” another participant, Sheikh Ibrahim Deng, Secretary General of the Islamic Council, advised.

“Whichever constituency a politician represents, the right decisions are the ones that are in the best interest of all of our citizens. That is the kind of government we expect and demand,” Bishop Wol Tong Tong.

Many forum participants expressed their fear of resulting conflicts.

Local authorities also took the opportunity to urge people to embrace unity and reconciliation, as stipulated in the revitalized peace agreement.

“We are here to live together as brothers and sisters, whether we support the government or any of the opposition parties. We cannot accept a tribal South Sudan plagued by primitive fighting,” counseled Peter Aguer, the government representative at the gathering.

The head of the peacekeeping mission’s field office in Aweil, Ataklti Hailu, echoed these sentiments.

“Civil society organizations, religious leaders, opposition forces, the private sector – you must all work together. By doing so, we can create a sense of shared responsibility among ourselves and mobilize resources together to implement agreed on policies,” he said.

The forum, aimed at promoting unity and social cohesion in the people living in the area. It brought together Civil society organizations and faith-based groups who gave their input on the subject.