30 December 2014 - Peace, security and unity was the government’s priority and should be the focus for all, Western Equatoria Governor Bangasi Joseph Bakosoro said today in the capital Yambio.

Opening the state Legislative Assembly for its second session in 2014, Mr. Bakosoro said the state administration was committed to the peace, security and unity of the state citizens at all costs.

“The executive, the legislature and the judiciary have a joint responsibility to protect peace- loving citizen and their properties,” the governor said.

He said officials should avoid negative politics, adding that some individuals had been falsely accusing the state government of inappropriate behaviour. But those rumours had failed, as Western Equatoria had remained peaceful, Mr. Bakasoro said.

Since conflict had erupted in Juba on 15 December 2013 and spread to other states, Western Equatoria had only experienced pockets of isolated conflicts, he added. Those had occurred mostly in greater Mundri and part of Maridi, instigated by cattle keepers from neighboring states who had lost property to the conflict.

Legislative Assembly Speaker Bage James recounted achievements during the first session, which included construction of a lobbying house and deliberation on the Girl Child Education Bill.

He urged parliamentarians to work hard in 2015 for people who had voted for them to sit in the Assembly

The opening was attended by UNMISS State Coordinator Ataklti Hailu, ministers, directors general and other government officials.