Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The newly appointed Governor of Western Equatoria State, James Altaib Berapai, and his Deputy Justin Joseph Marona, have been sworn in following their appointments by President Salva Kiir a week ago.
Mr. Berapai, a member of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Government headed by Kiir, was appointed in violation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan, which allocates the Western Equatoria State gubernatorial seat to the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO).
During the swearing-in ceremony at State House on Friday, Kiir called on the officials to return home and work diligently to restore stability, social harmony, and peace in the conflict-hit state.
According to the public statement released Friday, Kiir underscored the heavy responsibility placed on the officials to address the insecurity that has plagued the state for years.
In a move that has ended a long wait for a Governor in Western Equatoria, Berapai takes over from Alfred Futuyo, who was removed in February, leaving the position vacant for nearly six months.
The leadership of Berapai’s predecessor was marked by a series of controversies, including politically-motivated tribal tensions, which the Kiir’s right-hand man is now entrusted to address.
The Friday’s ceremony also saw the swearing-in of national officials, including James Mawich Makuach as Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, replacing SPLM-IO’s Pal Mai Deng, and Yien Chan Ruei as Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning.
President Kiir directed Minister Mawich to prioritise expanding access to clean and safe drinking water across the country, describing it as a fundamental service that impacts health and livelihoods.
The President further urged all newly appointed officials to work in unity, stressing that cooperation and commitment were essential for the government to meet the people’s expectations.
The leadership changes come amid escalating communal violence, mass displacement, and persistent security challenges in Western Equatoria. The new state leaders are expected to move swiftly in tackling these urgent issues.
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