On Monday, June 16, South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit relieved Augustino Jadalla Wani of his duties as governor of Central Equatoria State (CES) through a presidential decree. Rabi Mujung Emmanuel has been appointed as the new governor, stepping into a role that comes with significant tasks and challenges.
Juba, being the headquarters of Central Equatoria state and the capital of the Country, faces a range of complex issues awaiting the new governor.
Armed cattle herders
One pressing concern is the ongoing insecurity, particularly involving cattle keepers. While there have been some improvements in reducing insecurity in certain areas, issues like road ambushes, killings, and confrontations between farmers and cattle keepers persist.
Thomas Gajei, a political elite in Central Equatoria, described the persistent insecurity as a “thorn in the flesh” for every governor.
“We welcome the new governor, but there are challenges, issues of insecurity, cattle keepers in the state are a difficult task, and we need the new governor to bring change”, he said.
Despite frequent changes in leadership, the problems of insecurity and cattle keepers remain unaddressed, he noted.
Gajei emphasized the need for the new governor to bring about meaningful change, as residents continue to grapple with threats from rebel groups and cattle keepers.
Land disputes
In addition to security issues, the new governor will need to tackle land grabbing, a significant challenge in the region. Both the state and national governments have been making efforts to combat this practice, but Juba has seen numerous land disputes, some resulting in loss of life.
Land issues awaiting Gen. Rabi include ownership disputes, demarcation challenges, and ongoing conflicts between the national government and local authorities.
James Simon, a resident of Lodu Payam, expressed his frustrations, stating that land grabbers continue to disrupt their lives without any immediate solutions from the government.
“I cannot congratulate anyone because we, the people of Lodu Payam, have suffered enough. No one comes to our rescue,” he said, urging the new governor to prioritize addressing land grabbing.
Tax dispute with national gov’t
Amidst the ongoing economic hardships, tensions have also arisen between the South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) and the CES revenue office over tax collection.
The state revenue office recently notified some taxpayers, but this move was condemned by the SSRA, which accused the state of overstepping its jurisdiction.
These unresolved issues are now on the new governor’s agenda.
Rumors of State Headquarters’ relocation
Lastly, rumors regarding the potential relocation of the state capital from Juba to another part of Central Equatoria pose another complex challenge.
Although the state government has consistently denied any plans for relocation, there has been no official statement from the national government to clarify the situation. It will be up to Gen. Rabi to address these rumors and either confirm or dispel them for the public.
As he assumes office, Gen. Rabi Mujung Emmanuel faces a multifaceted array of challenges that require immediate attention and decisive action.
