Rumbek Opens Traditional Chiefs’ Council House The Government of Lakes State in collaboration with United States Agency for International Development, USAID officially opened the Council of Traditional Authority Leaders, COTAL in Rumbek, last week.15 June 2011 L-R: Susan Fine, USA Ambassador R. Barrie Walkley and Governor Chol Tong [©Gurtong]By Manyang Mayom RUMBEK, 15th June, 2011 [Gurtong] - The Government of Lakes State in collaboration with United States Agency for International Development, USAID officially opened the Council of Traditional Authority Leaders, COTAL in Rumbek, last week.
The opening ceremony was attended by government officials from the State both executive and the Legislatures as well representative from the Government of Southern Sudan, GOSS particularly the Ministry of Peace and CPA Implementation, Director of Conflict Mitigation and the US ambassador with various Directors from the State and various NGOs. Deputy Mission Director for USAID Sudan, Susan Fine said that, “I would like to add my acknowledgement and recognition of the strong partnership between USAID and the people of Lakes State. USAID and the US consulate are very pleased to be working with such good and capable partners in support of building the capacity of the local government to monitor and mitigate conflict.” Susan explained the role of USAID in Sudan as working to strengthen the capacity of local authorities by providing more resources to manage conflict, such as the furnished County Headquarters and communications equipments. USAID also supports programs that productively engage youths, who always turn to cattle raiding due to lack of formal education or access to alternative livelihood. Lakes State is geographically at the heart of South Sudan. The State had a central role in the South’s struggle during the war, and its stability is extremely important for the development of the entire South Sudan. As a result, USAID’s conflict reduction program has been working in close partnership with the State Government to support activities. “In addition to the new COTAL building, during this dry season USAID has also supported the construction of a new County headquarter in Rumbek North,” said Susan. Susan reaffirmed that, “the US government has been a strong friend of the government and the people of South Sudan – during the war, through the peace process, and after the CPA. The relationship shall remain so.” According to the US Ambassador R. Barrie Walkley, after decades of struggle and sacrifice, South Sudan will soon be an equal State among the community of sovereign nations. “This is the time to appreciate your hard work and to celebrate your success in making history, on behalf of the government of the United States; I’m here today to offer my deepest congratulations to all of you.” The foundation of a strong and stable South Sudan in the future is in respect for the rich past of its cultural traditions. South Sudan has a long history and many different communities but the importance of traditional authorities is a common, unifying theme that runs throughout the South’s diverse peoples. In partnership with local government, USAID has assisted State authorities to construct or complete COTALs in Kuajok, Bentiu, and this impressive building in Rumbek. “We have also supported the construction of centres for traditional authorities in Akobo, Pibor, Makuatch, as well as building for a peace committee in Warawa, Northern Bahr el ghazal State that will enable chiefs on both sides of the north/south border to resolve local disputes more effectively,” said Walkley. South Sudan will attain her independence on July 9, 2011. According to Ambassador Walkley, the US government will be the first to recognize the Republic of South Sudan if declared independent. Governor Chol Tong Mayay ensured that Lakes State Government shall work with her chiefs correctly through the Council of Traditional Chiefs. Tong reflected on how some paramount chiefs used to sit under the trees in their respective courts which made it difficult for local governments to control them. Governor Tong also appealed to the Lakes State chiefs to lobby for peace among the Counties. Tong was reacting to the recent Lakes State inter-clan clashes saying that, “Dogs are better than us nowadays – we are killing our mothers – all marriage relationships between clans are spoilt because we kill women and our in-laws. I don’t understand why are we killing children and women who are armless?" Posted in: Home -- 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]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/jfdinfo?hl=en.
