Newly appointed Warrap governor ‘prepared’ to end intercommunal violence

JUBA – South Sudan’s newly appointed governor of the restive Warrap state General Aleu Ayieny Aleu has vowed to end deadly intercommunal conflicts in the state as he was preparing Friday to return to Kuajok, the state capital, following his appointment by President Salva Kiir Mayardit late last month.

General Ayieny was appointed in January by President Kiir to replace his predecessor Bona Panek Biar who had been in office for less than seven months without a functioning state government.

As political violence has reduced significantly across the country since peace parties signed a peace deal in September 2018, inter-communal conflicts continue to cause immense harm in some communities, including Greater Tonj of Warrap state.

In August last year, more than 130 people were killed in Tonj East County after soldiers clashed with civilians during a disagreement in a local market.

Governor Ayieny vowed to tackle the issue following a meeting with President Salva Kiir Mayardit at State house this morning upon his departure to assume his duties in the state.

“I am leaving for Warrap State today with a mission to address the issues of communal conflicts and bring peace and stability in the state,” Aleu said.

The governor said that he will undertake the implementation of the order for removal of illegal checkpoints and roadblocks in his state.

In 2016, South Sudan President instructed the Ministry of Interior to remove all illegal checkpoints and roadblocks which he believed is contributing for hike of prices of commodities

“I promised you that I am going to execute orders for removal of roadblocks in Warrap state and to start developmental projects in the States as soon as possible,” he added.