Jan 04, 2016 (Nyamilepedia) —- The State of Sobat this week, on the 3rd of January 2016, began what the State Secretary for Information described as “an enlightenment meeting ever held” at Jikmir of Nasir County.
The event was officially opened by Sobat State Governor, His Excellency Duer Tut Duer under the theme “Building a credible alternative to a collapsed political set up” to create an awareness among civilians within the State of Sobat and let them have a say in the political issues affecting us as a country.
During the official opening of the meeting, H.E, the Governor Duer Tut Duer Makuach welcomed the representatives of SPLM from the 11 Counties and other dignitaries who were invited to attend the meeting. This huge event is the first of its kind, widely attended by the State officials in 2 years since Governor Duer Tut was appointed as the governor of Sobat State under the 21 Federal States in SPLM-IO administrative areas.
The Governor congratulated the Chairman of SPLM and Commander in Chief of SPLA Comrade Dr. Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon for his wise leadership and further complimented him for signing an Arrangement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan to bring about peace to the people of South Sudan.
The Governor urged the county representatives, women representatives, traditional leaders and the residents of Sobat state to embrace and start reconciliation processes in the state and the entire Upper Nile at large, all that can be done on condition that the other side of the conflict responds in the spirit of peace.
The congress organized by the SPLM State Secretariat will last for four days and it will address issues that range from the security, peace building, political, socio-economic situation of the state.
Attendance was huge, more than two thousand people from the various counties of Sobat State have attended the conference. This conference is the first of its kind that’s held under the rebel held territories at the state level since the current war broke out on December 15, 2013.
Duer Tut Duer, one of the hard working people of Sobat State officials has been progressing well since he was appointed to the job. Among his best shots is the fact that he established a civilian rule, differentiated military from civilian roles within the state. He also organized the army in the Sobat, setting up administrative areas, empowered county commissioners and gave them guidance, and appointed State Secretary to oversee the local administrative activities. Governor Duer toured the entire state, heard and collected views from the civil populace and responded to some of their concerns.
The federal state of Sobat has seen well progress in terms of security and humanitarian assistance; Sobat state is now the second peaceful state after Bieh state since the 21 federal states were created by the armed opposition leader Dr. Riek Machar. The people of his state compliment him and welcome him with bulls whenever he toured the state counties; a sign of high regards.
Several speakers in the conference praised SPLM-IO leader and Vice President designate Dr. Riek Machar for his recent promotion of the sons and daughters of Sobat State, saying promotion of some of our sons to high military ranks by the Movement is our gift for the New Year 2016.
The Sobat State Secretary for Information claimed, “The entire populations of Sobat State, through their representatives, express their full support to Dr. Machar under the abled leadership of Governor Duer Tut. We, as the people of Sobat, have to upport behind him and give him guarantees that we will be with him and help him in service delivery until desired goal achieved.”
Jikmir, located 30 kilometers away from the borders of Ethiopia, is one of the Nasir Payams not affected by this war since the beginning of the conflict Jikmir produced high personalities and effective leaders such as late powerful SPLA Gen. Duol Chuol Lual, the famous and fearless white army leader, Okdor Chuol Diet and the late Col. David Dep Tew, and among others.
This report is compiled by Elbow Chuol, Nyamilepedia Correspondent in South Sudan and Ethiopia and can be reached by elbow.chuol@gmail.com.
