South Sudan Governors Told to Initiate Commissioners Forum

By James Gatdet Dak

August 16, 2009 (JUBA) – The Vice President of Southern Sudan has directed the governors of the ten states in the semi-autonomous region to initiate a forum that would bring together county commissioners in their respective states.

Participants at the 7th Governors Forum in Juba, Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly Hall August 15, 2009, , (Photo by James G. Dak- ST)

In his closing remarks on Saturday ending the 6-day Governors Forum in Juba, Dr. Riek Machar told the state governors to share with their various organs of government the resolutions and recommendations adopted during the forum.

He stressed the importance of replicating the type of forum at the states level where challenges could be comprehensively identified and solutions sought with county commissioners before the next forum at the level of the Government of Southern Sudan.

Resolutions and recommendations were passed at the Governors Forum during which discussions on insecurity and corruption in the region dominated the deliberations.

Participants included ministers, members of parliament, intellectuals and representatives of international development partners among others.

The Forum recommended that a comprehensive disarmament of civil population be carried out to try to significantly reduce the level of insecurity caused by possession of firearms by civilians in the region.

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