Machar endorses decision to move Makal county headquarters to Wau Shilluk 

JUBA – South Sudan’s First Vice-president and main armed opposition leader Dr. Riek Machar Teny has endorsed a decision moving the headquarters of Upper Nile state’s Makal County from Malakal town to Wau Shilluk, according to the minister of cabinet affairs.

In a meeting shared by Machar on Friday and attended by President Kiir’s security advisor, Tut Gatluak, the governor of Upper Nile sate and his deputy, the minister of cabinet affairs Elia Lomoro said Makal county will comprise four payams with its headquarters in Wau Shilluk.

“After logical deliberation and checking documentations, and lot of reasoning .. we have resolved that Makal shall be the name of the county and that county – Makal county – shall comprise of Makal County shall be comprised of Warjowk Payam, Lilo Payam, Ogodo Payam and Wau Shilluk Payam as its head headquarters,” Lomoro said.

“Malakal shall be the Municipality comprising of Malakal north, Malakal centre and Malakal south,” he added.

In a statement separately, the office of the first vice president confirmed the latest decision and said “the issue of Makal (Malakal) has been resolved today, Friday, March 12, 2021. Makal shall be the name of the county headed by a Commissioner while Malakal shall be the municipality headed by a Mayor.”

Lomoro further said “The territories are really clearly defined; Makal being the County and Malakal being the Municipality.”