Speaking at a consultative meeting held at the Palm Africa Hotel in Juba on Saturday, Mawut engaged with Aweil intellectuals residing in the capital to discuss strategies for addressing state affairs.
Mawut expressed concern over the creation of numerous chiefdoms, which he said have led to overlapping responsibilities, noting that some chiefs remain idle, failing to fulfil the duties for which they were appointed.
“Many chiefs have assumed their roles but lack the required number of subjects to justify their position. They simply sit under trees, waiting for cases to come to them, as there are too many chiefs in the counties and payams,” Mawut explained.
To address this issue, the governor announced that his administration would introduce measures to encourage underperforming chiefs to step down.
One such measure involves imposing hut taxes, which could lead to the removal of chiefs unable to meet the financial requirements.
“We will introduce hut taxes so that any chief who cannot afford to pay will be removed. This initiative will begin as soon as I return from Juba,” he declared.
Mawut also highlighted that the creation of additional chieftaincy roles has sparked conflicts within communities, particularly over boundary disputes. To resolve this, he proposed consolidating nearby areas under the authority of recognised paramount chiefs.
“The excessive creation of chiefdoms is causing conflicts as people dispute boundaries. We will initiate efforts to merge closely situated areas under established paramount chiefs,” he stated.
Additionally, the governor addressed the growing issue of land-grabbing in Aweil Centre County, where disputes over arable land have escalated.
He explained that some residents allocate land to associates, particularly from the Dinka community, who then invite their relatives to settle.
This has led to tensions, as original landowners, including members of the Luo and Jurcol communities, find their lands occupied by those they initially welcomed.
“This practice has caused significant controversies in the Aweil Centre. We are working on strategies to reduce these land-related tensions,” Mawut said.
Mawut also reaffirmed his commitment to supporting all sectors, including the military. He revealed that he recently facilitated the transport of food supplies from Juba to army units in the state, a decision that sparked heated debate within his cabinet.
Some members accused him of diverting state funds to the military. Despite the controversy, Mawut emphasised his administration’s dedication to supporting service members and other key sectors.
