By Emmanuel Mandella

The Acting Governor of Western Equatoria State, Hon. Bakoyogo James Severino, has issued a warning to county and Payam administrators in the state, telling them to remain neutral and committed to their duties as civil servants.

Hon. Severino, who also serves as the State Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement at the state, made the remarks while opening a workshop on inclusive tax reforms and effective service delivery held in Yambio on Monday. His message was especially directed at unnamed county and Payam-level officials suspected of engaging in political activities outside their mandates.

“We will all reach our development goals but not overnight. This is a significant undertaking, and it will take years to fully realize. That is why we must remain focused on our mandates and avoid political distractions,” the Acting Governor stated.

His statement comes amid rising concerns that some civil servants in local governments are increasingly engaging in politics, undermining the professional standards expected in public service.

“Politics is for politicians, not civil servants,” Hon Severino said, drawing a clear distinction between political office holders and technical administrators. He emphasized on the need for roles to be respected.

“Leave politics to commissioners and ministers who are political office holders,” he said. “The urgency we feel is real, often driven by financial pressures. But we must be strategic and intentional about where we are headed and the structures we’re building upon. This is not the time for personal or political ambition.”

The Acting Governor’s remarks align with ongoing national efforts to professionalize governance in South Sudan under the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement, which prioritizes institutional reform, civil service restructuring, and politicization of public administration.

The agreement tasks state authorities with prioritising service delivery and building a non-partisan civil service, capable of supporting peace and development.

Hon. Severino acknowledged the legacy of former leaders who laid the groundwork for development and urged current officeholders to build on that foundation.

“Many came before us, sacrificed, and laid down the foundations. Their work is still relevant, and we must honor it by staying on course and delivering results.”

Calling for solutions and teamwork while highlighting the ongoing challenges facing Western Equatoria State, the Acting Governor called on technical officers and administrators to offer themselves as problem-solvers.

“Some problems persist because they are not fully understood,” he said. “That’s where you come in. As civil servants, not politicians, you have the expertise to find solutions.”

He concluded with a call for unity, professionalism, and collaborative governance.

“Let us uphold the spirit of teamwork we have demonstrated during this workshop. Share ideas, support one another, and help us move forward as a united force.”

The Acting Governor’s comments are a timely reminder as the country prepares for its first general elections under the Revitalized Peace Agreement, scheduled for December 2024. With the transitional period winding down, maintaining neutrality among public servants is seen as vital to ensuring fairness and trust in governance at all levels.

As Hon. Severino left participants with a simple yet powerful appeal.

“I hope to see continued professionalism and a clear separation between politics and public service in your work moving forward.”