March 15, 2021(Nyamilepedia) — The Upper Nile State governor, Lt. Gen Budhok Ayang Aney Kur has appointed a Mayor for Malakal city amid controversies over the detachment of Malakal municipality from Makal county.
In a gubernatorial decree, governor Lt. Gen Budhok Ayang appointed Hon. Francis Nyang Awok Ajang as the Mayor of the newly formed Malakal Municipality.
“I, Lt. Gen Budhok Ayang Aney Kur, Governor of the Upper Nile State do hereby issue this Gubernatorial decree for the appointment of Hon. Francis Nyang Awok Ajang as the mayor of Malakal City of the Upper Nile State,” read part of the decree.
Malakal was established as a municipality recently at a meeting attended by the first vice president, the minister of Cabinet Affairs, the presidential advisor on Security and the governor of Upper Nile State and his deputy.
This evoked negative response from some politicians and intellectuals from the state.
They argued that the resolution contradicts the provisions of the revitalized peace agreement and the state constitution, which gives the powers to redraw boundaries to the Council of States.
Some people also took to the streets and walked to the UN Mission offices within the POC site to present their petition.
“If the county needs to be relocated must be done with the will of its people. The people have rejected the decision,” said Adam Ajak, paramount chief of Makal.
Despite the controversies from the people, governor Gen Budhok Ayang went ahead and appointed the mayor while quoting article 99(2) A of the Transitional constitution of Upper Nile State 2011 and the presidential decree No. 5/2021 dated 5th February 2021.
