JNairobi ) Lakes Youth Consultative Council (LYCC) swore in new executive members in a colorful ceremony in Nairobi Kenya.The swearing-in continued despite a boycott by other members who objected to being part of the team
Governor of Eastern Equatoria state Gen. Louis Lobongo Lojore who was the chief Guest could not turn up at the ceremony citing other scheduled important meetings in Nairobi but he delegated one of his staff.
“I urge Youth of Lakes state to work for peace in diversity to rebuild broken relationships during years of conflicts”, said Mr Makuei Aguer Adel, who conveyed the message of Governor Lobong.
Mr Makuei urged the youths to support Governor of Lakes state through such initiatives. “The state has been under ethnic turmoil for long but with recent development of peace, there is need for people of Lakes state to support Governor Rin Tueny Mabor to continue with his work”, he said. He concluded his remarks with a pledge of 10 thousand US dollars from Governor Lobong to support activities of the new leadership.
On his side, the Head of immigration in the Embassy of South Sudan in Kenya, Andrew Kuol Agok reassured of the Embassy’s commitment to supporting its citizens in major cases. He however said certain issues such as stolen phones, girls elopement or other minor cases are roles of individual community leaders to resolve.
Members of Lakes Youth Consultative Council led by Chairperson Puoric Marial Daljang, said the union will focus on unity and development and ensure youth from all counties of Lakes state participate in peace building initiatives.
“Our aim is to encourage all youths to promote peace and unity among our communities” Puoric said. “We appreciate women, youths and other community leaders from different parts of Kenya who came to witness my inauguration”, he adds.
Mr Marial said his office will put issues of accountability and transparency as first in his priorities. He identified support towards needs of bright students who maybe unable to clear their school fees before sitting for their finally exams in both secondary and university, as well as medical bills for those seeking healthcare with limited finances. He looks forward to working hand in hand with other stakeholders in tackling these problems.
The occasion was used as platform by different community leaders to give advices to the new leadership and people of Lakes state in general. Jonglei state community representative Mr Thon Gai said Lakes state unity meant a lot to people of South Sudan and challenges the youth to work for it to realise diversity and prosperity instead of leaving it in the hands of political leaders alone.
Mr Mathiang Mayom, a senior youth also echoed similar sentiments. Mathiang admitted that Lakes state problems and communal conflicts have all along been engineered mainly by the three counties of Rumbek North, Rumbek East, Rumbek Center and partly Cueibet county.
He expressed optimism of long term stability under the current state leadership of Governor Rin Tueny Mabor despite facing numerous opposition from some individuals who need him to be removed.
