Press release,
Aug 25, 2021 — The Balanda community of Tambura County, would like to inform the public that, it has come to our notice that Hon. Matthew Mabenge, Tambura County commissioner and Mboribamu Baabe Renzi the County Paramount Chief on 4th. August 2021 used Mr. Augustine Zama Bidi a trader in Tambura to convince Mr. Martin Payo Fude and brought him to county HQ. Mr. Zama took Payo to the presence of Commissioner, Paramount chief, Pauda Baabe Renzi and pastor Charles Undoo in attendance. The commissioner and paramount chief together briefed and informed Payo that they have learned that he is the grandson of Vamangede and he is to be appointed as Balanda chief to replace his great grandfather. It is suspected that Mr. Baptist Gene, the former Balanda chief, is behind this conspiracy. During the meeting, Payo was asked to bring at least 7 elders from the Balanda community on Sunday, 08.08.2021 for further negotiation with the county Authority and the Paramount chief, who will be in presence of Catholic Bishop after Sunday Mass. However, the Bishop left for Yambio before the said meeting.
In light of the above, the Balanda community would like to make it clear to the general public that any conspiracy against the current Balanda chieftainship structure is a clear violation to our fundamental principles and Rights as enshrined in Local Government Act. 2009. A similar attempt was made in April 2021 when the County Commissioner and Mboribamu called late Sultan Kolowo and verbally decreed him out of office. The Balanda community reacted professionally by writing a position letter to county commissioner Hon. Matthew Mabenge. We assume thereafter, that the commissioner listened deeply to our concern and such won’t repeat itself. We are very surprised again to see that the same commissioner is making the same mistake we had earlier on advised him of the right way of how any community in the Republic of South Sudan conduct their tradition election for their chiefs with support from the State Ministry of Local Government and Law Enforcement. Hence, the county commissioner and any other well wishers such as paramount chief, other traditional chiefs can only be observers during the process of the election with no any interference.
We are reinstating that the Balanda community in South Sudan will not buy the idea that only one clan is to lead the Balanda tribe as restricted to, by other tribes in South Sudan. Succession to Balanda traditional chieftainship will ever be on merits and not inheritance. This is to discourage dynasties among the Balanda community.
As we had earlier on stated in our previous letter to county Hon. Commissioner, we argue Mr. Commissioner and his associates to refrain and desist from imposing their illegal interests on the Balanda in Tambura county when it is not their respective prerogative responsibility. We are in a trying moment and time will come when we shall as a community as directed by the Local Government Act. 2009 prepare to conduct our election.
We would like to categorically condemn such absurd behaviors of imposing individual interests into Balanda community affairs.
Linked with above, Baptist Gene and Martin Payo are strongly warned against their conspiracy against Balanda affairs. Hence, we take this opportunity to clearly inform the public that, any one dealing with Baptist Gene and Martin Payo on behalf of the Balanda community, is/are doing so, at their own risk because none of them represent Balanda in any ways.
This press release also sounds a friendly reminder to Mr. Augustine Zama Bidi for his deals in Balanda Affairs. We have lived with him for so long and for sure he knows how Balanda handles their affairs. If he can refrain from interfering in our affairs, then it will be great since this is not the first time for Zama to do such a deal against our community.
God bless South Sudan
God bless W.E.S
God Bless Tambura and Nagero counties
God bless both Balanda and Azande Communities.
You can reach the author, Denis Michael Unvu, through email at Balanda@yahoogroups.com.
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