By Emmanuel Mandella
The press secretary to the former Deputy Governor of Western Equatoria State, Joseph Apai Arkengelo who is also a prominent figure in Nzara County has written an open letter to Dr. Riek Machar, appealing to the first Vice President to appoint a female governor in the state.
“If the leadership of Governor Alfred Futuyo Karaba is under review for replacement, I urge that SPLM-IO seize this moment to appoint a female governor,” Apai stated in his letter.
He stressed the key roles and importance of inclusive leadership as a potential solution to Western Equatoria’s persistent issues.
The state has faced significant turmoil since 2020, marked by political instability and tribal conflicts. Insecurity in regions such as Tombura County, which has been plagued by tribal violence, and Minga Payam in Mundri East County.
“The insecurity across our state has severely impacted communities, and leadership changes have not effectively addressed these underlying issues. Instead, it has fueled further divisions,” Apai stated, underscoring the deep-rooted issues in governance.
Reflecting on the good leadership of the former Governor of Western Bhar el-Ghazal Sarah Cleto, he argued that appointing a female governor would be significant.
“A female leader would bring renewed energy and perspective to address the root causes of political and tribal conflicts, fostering dialogue, reconciliation, and a shared vision for progress,” he reiterated.
On a positive note, Apai acknowledged the contributions of Governor Futuyo, saying there were significant strides made in early development efforts under his tenure, but subsequent political rivalries have stalled progress.
“Political maneuvering and tribal rivalries have overshadowed governance, impeding further development and unity across the state’s Eastern, Central, and Western Counties,” he added.
Despite Cleto’s removal, her leadership is seen as a testament to the SPLM-IO’s progressive stance on female empowerment.
“SPLM-IO has been at the forefront of promoting gender equality, evident in the appointment of female leaders,” Apai affirmed.
The call for change in Western Equatoria State comes amidst heightened expectations from community leaders, urging the SPLM-IO to consider fresh, diverse leadership to navigate the State through its challenges.
On Friday, President Salva Kiir, through a decree read on the state broadcaster, dismissed Sarah Cleto from her position as Governor of Western Bahr el Ghazal State, replacing her with Emmanuel Primo Okello. Hon. Cleto was the only female governor in South Sudan, and hailed from the opposition part, Sudan People’s Loberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO), led by First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar.
The move to dismiss the governor has elicited criticism from activists, who have since denounced the move, insisted for the adherence to the affirmative action on gender representation, with Mr. Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director for Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) stating that the decision undermines the revitalized agreement which mandates a minimum of 35 percent representation of women across all levels of government.
The same viewpoints were echoed by the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), which, in its third quarter report, said that parties should not reduce the overall count of women in these positions, rather retain during replacements.
“In terms of women’s representation in the executive and legislative appointments, RJMEC would like to emphasise the importance of the minimum 35% threshold for their representation. Further, it is important to remind the Parties that when replacements in these appointments take place, they should not reduce the overall count of women in these positions,” the commission noted in part, adding:
“Instead, women’s representation should be increased in executive and legislative appointments. As was underscored at the recent 4th annual national conference on Women, Peace and Security, women’s leadership and full inclusion in peacebuilding and political processes is central to achieving lasting peace and security in South Sudan.