9 June 2014 - A federalism system in South Sudan was vital in helping to avoid future tribal-related conflicts, Western Equatoria State Governor Colonel Bangasi Joseph Bakosoro said in the state capital Yambio today.

Speaking during the opening session of the State Legislative Assembly, Col. Bakosoro said the system would also give power to the people to decide on matters affecting them.

“Western Equatoria State is for the federal system of government,” he said, adding that the Greater Equatoria Region had been demanding this for a long time.

“This time no individual or group of people can obstruct our call for a federal system of government,” he added. “It is not a crime if people express their democratic rights in a peaceful manner.”

Addressing legislators and other officials like government ministers, church leaders and UNMISS State Coordinator Ataklti Hailu, Col. Bakosoro said democracy had set foot everywhere in the world and South Sudan should be no exception.

The assembly re-opened today following three months of recess, during which members consulted with their constituents on challenges faced in their communities. These will be presented in the assembly for deliberation on how better to deliver services to the people.

Col. Bakosoro said Western Equatoria had been able to achieve much in terms of stability, health, infrastructure and information, despite austerity measures and conflict in other parts of South Sudan.

He urged legislative assembly members to be responsible and focus on developing unity among their people. He also encouraged the state’s residents to cultivate more to be food-sufficient by 2015, as specified in the state plan.

Assembly Speaker James Bage revealed that chairpersons and their deputies had been dissolved, according to rules and regulations giving specialized committees in the assembly two years in office.

He urged members to think critically on how to fill positions based on who was capable, and not on a tribal basis.