By James Chatim

Civil society activists have raised concerns over the frequent removal of leaders from office, arguing that this could derail the country’s development.

In an interview with The City Review on Wednesday, Ter Manyang Gatwech, the Executive Director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA) said the removal of former Warrap governor  Francis Marial Abur will create a negative impact at the grassroots.

Manyang described Gen. Marial as a government official with experience in addressing communal violence.

He added that if Marial had been given time, he could have implemented the 8th Governors Forum Resolutions, besides the local initiatives he attempted to introduce that could have mitigated the violence in the State.

“According to my observation, the governor has experience that is why he made some initiative and formed committees, like the peace dialogue, to be organized based on the 8th Governor Resolution Forum last year.”

“For me, removing of such experienced people sometimes can create loopholes when it comes to addressing the issue of community violence in the community. Of course, it’s going to create a negative impact on the grassroots,” said Manyang.

The activist said the newly appointed governor of Warrap State will have to encounter obstacles as he tries to understand the community to address the situation.

“So, I think the president needs to observe or to give time to somebody when he’s appointed in the leadership,” he said.

According to Manyang, giving more time to the person in the office can lead to positive progress and development in the community.

He said frequent changes will always force the new leader to start afresh, which would jeopardize the old process.

On his part, Luate Satimon Joel, Executive Director of Integrity South Sudan said the frequent removal of officials within a short period of service in an office could derail the government programme to deliver services to its citizens.

“This governor (Marial) was one of the persons whom the president said was going to address the Warrap problems. But I think he removed him very fast.”

According to him, Marial should have been given more time to address the inter-communal conflict in Warrap than bringing in a new person promptly.

Through Presidential decrees announced on Tuesday evening, President Salva Kiir reshuffled various positions in local governments and agencies. The president dismissed Gen. Francis Marial Abur from the position of Governor of Warrap State and appointed General Magok Magok.

He also relieved the Chief Administrator of Abyei Administrative Area, Chol Deng and appointed Charles Abyei Jok as replacement. Deputy Chairman of Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, Bol Muorter, was also sacked, and Aguek Ring Mabil appointed as successor.