Ruweng chief admin to Kiir: We are happy for extension of gov’t term in office

JUBA – The Chief Administrator of South Sudan’s Ruweng Administrative Area (RAA) Stefano Wieu Mialek has told President Salva Kiir Mayardit in a meeting at the presidency on Tuesday that his peace back home are happy with the president for his decision extending the term of the government in office for two years.

In August, President Kiir and his first deputy Dr. Riek Machar who is also the chairman of the main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) extended the transitional period for at least twenty-four months.

The current transitional period ends in February next year and the two men claimed that remaining tasks provided for in the revitalized peace agreement cannot be implemented within that period, but promised to do so during the next two years despite failing to implement the agreement in the last three years.

In a statement, the presidency said Kiir met with Mr. Wieu who briefed him on the security situation as well as service delivery in Ruweng Administrative Area.

“President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Tuesday met and was briefed by Hon. Stefano Wieu Mialek, the Chief Administrator of Ruweng Administrative Area, on matters pertaining to the security situation and service delivery to the people of Ruweng Administrative Area,” the presidency statement said.

Mr. Wieu said following the meeting with the head of state that he has received “guidance [from the president] on matters pertaining to the stability and service delivery to the people in Ruweng,” adding that he briefed Kiir on the “establishment of Legislative Council of Ruweng that has been long overdue.”

The meeting has also touched on developmental project such as infrastructure, health, education, he added.

The top local government official further said “the people of Ruweng Administrative Area fully welcome the roadmap and the extension of Transitional period by 24 months to allow full implementation of the outstanding tasks of the peace agreement.”