Mayiik distances self from Tonj conflict
Mayiik Ayii Deng, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, has dismissed allegations that he is meddling in the affairs of Tonj North Conflict.
The minister has received condemnation from a section of citizens accused him of thwarting any process of reconciliation between the army and civilians in Tonj North County.
This come following the June 30 incident which led to the killing of soldiers by armed civilians.
But in a quick rejoined, the minister denied having ‘protested’ to the United Nations’ Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), the use of force by the army against his people.
The Ministry, however, strongly defended Mayiik in a strongly worded statement from intefering with affairs form any state or county
“The office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs categorically dismisses these allegations. The mandate of the Minister of Foreign Affairs is to serve national interests for all South Sudanese regardless of any specific regions or states,” read the statement from the ministry.
“The responsibility of states’ affairs/challenges falls within the prerogative of the state governments and by extension the Ministry of Federal Affairs, Council of States, and Council of Ministers at the national level. Therefore, the Minister of Foreign Affairs has no direct role whatsoever in local state affairs.
The Foreign Minister noted that he had access to the president who could but could not cross to handle responsibilities not within his jurisdiction.
Manyiik termed the allegations as “lies and unfounded”.
The governor of Warrap State, Lt Gen Aleu Ayieny Aleu, arrived in Juba after his concerns over the insecurity in Warrap State prompted him to cut short his medical treatment.
“It was unfortunate that I had to travel for treatment and that such a thing happened. I would like to thank the government also, for sending the security. I will probably join them soon,” said the governor.
“I just came out of treatment, and I just feel okay now. I would have remained there for some time, but because of the situation in Tonj, as well as in Twic, I had to come. I think if I were to be there, this thing wouldn’t have happened. “
Aleu promised the communities safety through protection provided by the army that is deployed in the area.
He stressed that although disarmament was still vital, there was a need to change people’s mindsets to channel their interest from cattle raids to other sources of livelihood.