Governor urges Western Bahr El-Ghazal leaders to promote unity

4 Mar 2013

Governor urges Western Bahr El-Ghazal leaders to promote unity

28 February 2013 - Local leaders in Western Bahr El-Ghazal must work together for unity and mutual co-existence among its residents, the state governor said today.

Speaking at the end of a three-day workshop for councilors in the state, Brig. Rizik Zakaria Hassan condemned tribalism, which divided people and hampered development.

Some 200 councilors from Wau municipality as well as Raja, Jur River and Wau counties attended the workshop, which was organized under the theme "The importance of decentralization in the process of governance and development".

"We are here to lay the foundation of local government at county levels to complete the shape of the government," said Brig. Hassan, urging councilors to work well with their county commissioners.

The councilors received training in traditional leadership and the Local Government Act and discussed systems of governance, sources of income and better service delivery.

UNMISS State Coordinator Winnie Babihuga acknowledged the state government's efforts to empower councilors in facilitating a decentralized system in the state.

She said UNMISS would provide additional capacity building for councilors in their counties to assist them in carrying out their duties effectively.