March 6, 2014 Statement on the opening of 6th Session of the State Legislative Assembly Right Honorable Speaker, State Legislative Assembly, Cabinet Ministers, President of high court, Local Government Representatives, Honorable Members of Parliament representing various constituencies, Kindly accept my warm greetings and gratitude to all of you. It has been a while without visiting this great House, a place where we consolidate the policies that guide our affairs. I would also like to express our solidarity with the citizens of Greater Upper Nile Region who have been affected by the violence that erupted in Jonglei, Upper Nile and Unity States. This baseless rebellion originates from a foiled coup masterminded by renegade Riek Machar and elements who think they are more informed and deserve to take over the country’s leadership by all means. The Government of the Republic of South Sudan is an elected government, with next elections scheduled for 2015. Despite any internal differences within the SPLM which we may have had, these challenges could still have been resolved within the party platform and they cannot justify the need to stage a coup. Any need for change could best be achieved through elections, but the renegades were too eager to wait for 2015. Unconstitutional change of government through coups d’état has no place in modern world, as enshrined in our Transitional Constitution, the African Union Charter and the UN. And as South Sudan we will never give politicians who put their personal interests above national interest any chance to commit fraud on the will of the citizens. Our constitution defines our national values and cannot be easily brushed away. Your government has liberated key towns that had fallen under the rebels, and will continue to pursue the rebels until they have no place to hide. However, there are reports of further rebel attacks in northern parts of Northern Bahr El Ghazal State, around Karsana. Any rebel operations anywhere within this country are a big threat to our territorial integrity and national security. These atrocities must be brought to an end as soon as possible. We do not need to underestimate the rebel capacity to inflict harm on our citizens; therefore, we should make it a matter of honor to embark on the mobilization of youths for recruitment to the national army to defend the country. This seriously requires the approval of the State Legislative Assembly. The government is currently on an international lobby to inform the world that the unrest has nothing to do with representation or democracy. We are also committed to a peaceful settlement of the problem through our delegation to the IGAD mediation in Addis Ababa. The Legislative Assembly should encourage our communities to work together with development partners as per the government policy framework on food security (agriculture), health and education. These are key sectors in poverty eradication. In November last year, just two weeks before the coup, there were huge promises of the international community to help in building the new nation. But all investors have been scared by the violence. The world is only very generous to help those who help themselves, so we must help ourselves first by guaranteeing security. We are all obliged in the State Government to work for the betterment of our country. Therefore, we should all collaborate as the Legislature and the Executive in building this nation. God bless you all. Long Live SPLM! Long Live the Republic of South Sudan! Long Live Northern Bahr El Ghazal State! Long Live Our Unity! H.E. Gen. Paul Malong Awan, Governor, Northern Bahr El Ghazal State.
Posted on: Thu, 06 Mar 2014 20:02:42 +0000