By Yiep Joseph
A three-day Commissioners’ and Mayors’ Forum, aimed at addressing critical issues and developing effective recommendations for improved governance has kicked off in Central Equatoria State.
The forum, which began on Wednesday with support from UNMISS, brings together local government officials from across the state.
Participants include four representatives from each of the five counties—Lainya, Juba, Kajo-Keji, Terekeka, and Yei River—as well as the Wondurba Administrative Area. Mayors, state advisors, and state partners are also participating.
The forum’s objectives include building social cohesion, enhancing conflict mitigation and peacebuilding, and improving service delivery to communities.
It aligns with the 8th Governors’ and Chief Administrators’ Forum, which mandated each governor and chief administrator to conduct local forums to address pressing issues and find solutions.
Central Equatoria State Governor Augustino Jadalla Kamilo opened the forum, urging participants to focus on issues affecting the people and to use the opportunity for constructive dialogue.
“Let us use this forum to discuss practical ways of ensuring that county governance structures are operational in accordance with our shared dreams. Governance is not just about policies; it is about the tangible impact we create in the lives of our people,” he said.
“Let us use this forum to discuss how we can improve coordination and cooperation among all actors working to ensure the development of our counties,” he added.
The governor reiterated the need to strengthen peace among communities as well as empower them economically.
“We need to empower people economically through cooperative societies it is your responsibility as commissioners to cooperate with the Minister’s concern,” he said.
He acknowledged that his recent tour of the counties became eye-opening in ensuring that the existing need serious deliberation and solutions as well.
The governor noted poor infrastructure, insecurity, and rural-urban migration among the major problems faced by the state that need to be addressed.
The governor called on participants to work as a team in order to achieve peace and service delivery for the citizens.
On her part, Njoki Kinyanjui, UNMISS head of Field CES, expressed that the forum will be an avenue for participants to strengthen their efforts toward building peace.
She added that the forum, which is running for three days, will lead to success as participants discuss areas of challenge as well as opportunities with the hope of strengthening peace and development.
“I wanted to take this humble opportunity to encourage everybody in the room to open constructive,” she said.
Kinyanjui reiterated UNMISS’s commitment to strengthening Central Equatoria state in particular and South Sudan at large in areas of peacebuilding.
Meanwhile, the deputy governor of Central Equatoria State, Paulino Lukudu Obede, urged the commissioners to use the opportunity to address critical issues.
He added that the recent governor’s tour would help the participants, as most challenges have been known to remain in developing implementable solutions.
The deputy governor urged commissioners to address issues affecting people at the grassroots.
He raised concern about rural-urban migration as well as underdevelopment in the counties that need serious commitment.
“Our counties are not growing the way we expect,” he said.