South Sudan’s N. Bahr el Ghazal denies reports that hunger caused death
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August 17, 2011 (AWEIL) - An official in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state
government on Wednesday refuted media reports alleging that citizens
in the region were dying of severe hunger, less than two months since
South Sudan became Africa’s newest nation.
JPEG - 67.4 kb
Bona Makuac Mawien, the Northern Bahr el Ghazal state minister for
information and communication addresses the media in Aweil. South
Sudan. August, 17, 2011 (ST)
Speaking at a hastily convened press conference in Aweil, the state
capital, Bona Makuac Mawien, the state minister for information and
communication acknowledged the presence of hunger in some counties,
but said the situation was not bad enough to cause deaths.
The minister was responding to a local media, which alleged that an
unidentified woman from Luo Aguer Geng village in Aweil East
reportedly died as a result of lack of food.
But during the press conference, Mawien blamed some sections of the
media for misinforming the public through presenting inaccurate
reports without verifying sources.
“In my view, misinformation plus prejudgment equals to injustice and
unfairness.” He asked journalists in South Sudan to follow proper
procedures to verify information and to report objectively.
The information and communication minister mainly attributed the
hunger problem in parts of the state to this year’s unpredictable
rainfall, which delayed harvests. He also blamed high food prices for
shortages, which he claimed resulted from economic blockades imposed
by the North Sudan after South Sudan seceded in July.
“Much as some of these issues I have mentioned were far beyond our
control, the state government has been very instrumental in providing
the basic needs of the population in line with its rightful mandate.”
The state government, he added, has put in place the necessary
institutional framework and departments to protect its citizens,
having been given that mandate in last year’s general elections.
South Sudan’s government has established a four year plan to improve
security, development, economic growth, and poverty reduction.
Despite a 2005 peace deal with Khartoum, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, like
many areas of South Sudan have struggled to reduce poverty and health
services and improve security.
Currently good security, good governance and the need to improve
security along its borders reportedly top state priorities.
In neighbouring Warrap, the state’s governor has also denied that
hunger has caused the death of over 300 people since June, despite
reports from local chiefs to the contrary.
(ST)
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