JUBA — South Sudan’s Central Equatoria State government on Wednesday refuted claims it plans to relocate the state capital from Juba to Yei River County.
This follows reports circulating on social media alleging that Central Equatoria State Governor Augustino Jadalla Kamilo Wani is planning to relocate the state headquarters to Yei River County.
The report claims that the move aimed to curb rampant land grabbing and illegal displacement of indigenous communities of Juba.
Waakh Simon Wudu, press secretary in the Office of the State Governor, denied the rumor, describing it as ‘baseless, misleading, and politically motivated.’
“The office of the Governor of Central Equatoria State has learned with deep concern of false and inflammatory allegations circulating on various media platforms alleging that H.E. Augustino Jadalla Kamilo Wani is being coerced in a purported scheme to relocate the State Capital from Juba to Yei River County,” read part of the letter seen by Sudans Post on Wednesday.
Simon said the allegation further doctored that Governor Jadalla, putting him in a difficult position over the issue of the relocation of the capital.
Simon urged the public and media outlets to treat those rumors as ‘inflammatory allegations’ to tarnish the image of the governor.
“On behalf of the Governor, I wish to state unequivocally that these allegations are not true. They are baseless, misleading, and politically motivated. At no point has the governor been involved in such engagement,” he said.
He said Governor Jadalla has not sanctioned or endorsed any plan to relocate the state capital, nor has he been complicit in any scheme to alter the status of Juba for ulterior motives.
“We urge the public, stakeholders, and media to treat such narratives with utmost discontent and to focus on facts, not fearmongering. The governor continues to serve with integrity and remains dedicated to preserving unity and stability across the state.”
He stated that the governor, Jadalla, is guided by principles and constitutionalism, peace, service delivery, and inclusive governance.
