Unity state gov’t officials give contradicting statements on plan to transfer Rubkona County headquarters to Kaljak

BENTIU – Government officials in South Sudan’s Unity state have given contradicting statements over the alleged plan by the state governor Joseph Nguen Manytuil to move Rubkona county headquarters to Kaljak Payam.

Last week, rumors circulated on social media that the state governor was lobbying senior Leek state government officials in Bentiu to consent and advocate for the transfer of Rubkona county headquarters from Pakur Payam.

Later on, information minister of the defunct Northern Liech state, Lam Tungwar Kueiguong, confirmed to Sudans Post that there was a plan to move the headquarters to Kaljak, but said the matter was at what he said was  a “consultative” stage.

However, in contradiction to the statements by Tungwar, the office of the governor issued a statement on Saturday denying the transfer was being considered referring to the alleged plan as a propaganda by anti-peace elements.

“The office of Governor has learned unprecedented rumors propagated by anti peace elements. Its indeed very unfortunate for these disgruntle politicians trying to destroy the unity of Unity State people particularly the beloved people of Leek Nyalthiang of Rubkona County,” Portsix Bakuony, the press secretary for the governor said in a statement extended to Sudans Post.

The statement said it strongly denies the reports and said it “categorical condemns such malicious news that has no basis and should be regarded as unfounded or fake news.”

“Henceforth, the office of Governor called upon the intellectuals, youth and entirely people of Unity State to refrain from this fake news circulated by disgruntle politicians.

“Any county headquarter relocation from place to another place [….] always depend upon community agreement who would forward it to the state government for further deliberation and approval.”