By Bosco Bush
Upper Nile State Governor James Odhok is appealing to County Commissioners to combat tribalism and promote unity among the diverse communities in the state.
He made this call during the Upper Nile State Commissioners Forum, which began on Monday in Malakal and gathered Commissioners from all 13 counties.
The 3-day Forum will evaluate the implementation of last year’s Governors Forum recommendations, tackling the pressing challenges facing the counties and communities at the grassroots.
It will also look into economic, security and humanitarian issues across the counties.
Addressing the Forum, Odhok underscores the significance of the forum in problem-solving with much focus on combating tribalism and promoting unity and peaceful co-existence among the communities.
“This gathering is not just about problem-solving but also serves as a platform to combat tribalism and promote unity among the diverse communities of Upper Nile State,” read the statement.
The governor further emphasized the importance of collaboration among the Commissioners, suggesting that their collective efforts will enhance service delivery across the state.
By working together, he said, the commissioners can adopt cooperation and understanding among the local population in the area.
As the forum progresses, participants are expected to formulate effective strategies to address Upper Nile State’s challenges and improve the overall well-being of all its inhabitants.
Communal conflicts and the 2013 civil war have had dire consequences on the people of Upper Nile State.
However, with the implementation of the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement, relatively calm has returned to the area with some people voluntarily returning to resettle.