Greater Equatoria demands federal system in South Sudan Article Comments (9) Email PrintSave --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 17, 2011 (JUBA) – Greater Equatoria conference reiterated its support to southern Sudan government and called to implement a federal system in the to-be-independent state next July. South Sudan VP Riek Machar (L) and chairman of South Sudan Legislative Assembly, James Wani (C) and W. Equatoria governor Joseph Bosokoro (R) at the closing ceremony of the Equatoria conference at Nyakuron Cultural Center (NCC) in Juba on April 16, 2011 (ST) The Equatoria Conference kicked off in Juba on the 14th April 2011 ended on Saturday 16 with key resolutions and pledging support to Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of southern Sudan who is facing several rebel groups before to proclaim the independence on 9 July. "Equatoria pledges full support to the current GOSS president having driven the people of southern Sudan to the Promised Land in the recent concluded referendum," said the final communiqué read by the deputy governor of Central Equatoria state, Manase Lomole Waya at the closing session. "Federal system of governance should be adopted in the new Republic of South Sudan after the declaration of the independence" the communiqué further stressed. They governor also urged to provide security to all the states equally. Over 3,000 Equatorians converged in Juba from 24th -19th April 2011 to attend a three-day conference under the theme "Justice, Unity and Prosperity". The conference also brought Equatorians from the Diasporas USA, Canada, Australia Europe and East Africa The vice president of GOSS Riek Machar Teny who officially closed the conference told the presence that "the topics discussed are important and some of the resolutions will catch up in their respect line ministries and committees". As the deputy chair of the SPLM Machar emphasized that "SPLM is committed to federalism and decentralization hence the new Republic of South Sudan will be built in a democratic governance." He also disclosed that the deployment of the southern Sudanese army units which were part of the Joint Integrated Units (JIUs) SPLA to western Equatoria state and borders to stop atrocities committed by LRA atrocities in the region. Machar also talked about the tribal clashes between the Mvolo of W. Equatoria state and Yirol West of Lakes state, saying President Kiir formed ministerial committee headed by the Minister of defence Nhial Deng Nhial to investigate the source of the conflict. He further revealed that over 1000 anti-riot police forces will be deployed in the buffer zones of the conflict to prevent further clashes.But he also urged the state governors to strengthen their police services in order so that the federal police are not involved in state affairs. The conference urged the South Sudan government to not prioritise the relocation of the national capital from Juba "since the far rural people of southern Sudan need basic services (Good hospitals, Access to quality education system, Security, infrastructure etc" said the final resolutions of the three-day meeting. But the South Sudan Vice-President said "the relocation of the capital city came as a result of Juba being shared by three governments (GOSS, Central Equatoria State and Juba County”. The governor of the host state Clemet Wani Konga said in his speech that people of southern Sudan complain that Central Equatoria doesn’t give land, “yet land in Juba is being grabbed by senior military officials before allotted to the people.” “Central Equatoria allocated lands to the East and Western parts of juba to GOSS about 25km Square but GOSS remained silent until today” he lamented. WE LOVE SOUTH SUDAN GOVERNMENT In his closing remarks the governor of Western Equatoria state Bangasi Joseph Bakosoro said “Equatoria loves the government of southern Sudan since 1980s to date none have taken up arms to overthrow the government of southern Sudan from Equatoria region". "Most of the time Equatorians are being suspected, jailed and accused but this tactics are all total lies, we shall continue to support and be in this government” stressed Bakosoro. He pointed out that Equatoria shall never be used again as a platform to shed meaningless blood. “Since we are patient people, we shall continue to be patient.” Bakosoro expressed the discouragement of Equatorians towards the various corruptions taking place in GOSS and no steps have been taken to solve it. He said Josphine Lagu has just been sent to 10 years imprisonment without any proper reason defending that she did not still nothing yet the minister of education was not brought before the court to testify or clear is hand. We plea to GOSS president to look into that case of Lagu and know what is happening as a humble appeal and if justice is there “let it take its right course on every person.” The governor of central Equatoria state Wani also raised the issue of Lagu saying “The imprisonment of Josephine Lagu is another punishment for Equatoria, yet the money that is sent to support southern students in Uganda end up in the hands of one community and families who are not even in schools” revealed Wani. Josephine Joseph Lagu was accused last year of involvement in the embezzlement of funds allegedly wired into her private bank account instead of official bank account for Students studying in Uganda under scholarship of the government of South Sudan through its ministry of education, science and technology. Accused of financial fraud and dishonesty, she was relieved of her duties as undersecretary in the service ministry of education, science and technology in order to allow the court to conduct thorough investigations and judgment without immunities. Throughout investigations period, Lagu claimed innocence against the charges and vowed to defend herself against accusing fingers. Notwithstanding her assertions, majority within the ministry blamed her for involvement in the transfer. (ST) -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "JFD info" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. 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