Dr. Lam rejects decision moving Makal county headquarters to Wau Shilluk

JUBA – Prominent South Sudan opposition leader Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin has rejected a decision announced by the minister of cabinet affairs on Friday that the First Vice President, President Kiir’s security advisor, Upper Nile state governor and his deputy have resolved to move Makal county headquarters to Wau Shilluk.

In a statement on Friday, Cabinet minister Elias Lomoro said following “a logical deliberation and checking documentations, and lot of reasoning .. we have resolved that Makal shall be the name of the county and that county – Makal county – shall comprise of Makal County shall be comprised of Warjowk Payam, Lilo Payam, Ogodo Payam and Wau Shilluk Payam as its head headquarters.”

“Malakal shall be the Municipality comprising of Malakal north, Malakal centre and Malakal south,” he added.

However, in a statement, Dr. Lam Akol rejected the move saying the decision has not been taken in line with the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement and violates the establishment order issued by Dr. John Garang De Mabior in 2004.

“The media is awash with a statement attributed to the Minister of Cabinet Affairs of the Government of the Republic of South Sudan to the effect that they have decided to detach Malakal town from Makal County and locate the capital of the latter to Wau Chollo,” Dr. Lam said.

“The Minister did not quote the article of the Upper Nile State Constitution or an article in the Revitalized Peace Agreement which gives him and those who were in that meeting the authority to decide on such a constitutional matter,” he added.

Dr. Lam who is the leader of the National Democratic Movement (NDM) said ”
The Establishment Order as issued by the Chairman of the SPLM/A, Dr John Garang de Mabior, in his message No. 003/10/2004 dated 16/10/2004, defined Makal County as composed of Malakal town and the two chieftaincies of Lelo and Ogod. We are not aware of a ‘Wurjwok’ payam.”

“The capital has always been in Malakal town. When Malakal Municipality was introduced sometime between 2010 and 2012 its capital coexisted with that of Makal County in Malakal town. What is new this time around?

“The capital of Juba County, for example, is still in Juba town despite the presence of the Juba Municipality there. Why should Makal County be an exception? This decision is not based on the Constitution of the Upper Nile State nor the Revitalized Peace Agreement.

“The procedures for amending these legal documents are clear and have not been followed. The few persons who arrogated to themselves the right to take this decision should inform the public about the legal basis of their action. Otherwise, it will be considered yet another gimmick to serve narrow interests.”