The newly appointed commissioners of Mvolo and Mundri East counties in Western Equatoria State have taken up their posts after months of delays caused by administrative procedures and logistical challenges, state authorities said.
Mvolo County Commissioner Isaac Sebit Brown was appointed in March but remained in the state capital, Yambio, for about five months awaiting clearance and arrangements to travel to the county.
Mundri East County Commissioner Daite Mathew Bakiet, who was appointed and sworn in about two months ago, has also arrived in the county and assumed his duties.
The Western Equatoria State government said the deployment delays were linked to administrative procedures, SPLM membership registration and logistical challenges, including transportation.
Brown was received by members of the Mvolo community upon his arrival.
Mvolo Paramount Chief Sultan Peter Bungoni welcomed the commissioner and urged residents to cooperate with his administration.
The chief said the county had spent several months without the new commissioner and needed to work with him to promote peace and development.
“I am appealing to our community. We have taken about six months without a commissioner, and we need to listen to him and work together with him to develop our county. You people have complained a lot,” Bungoni said.
He said cooperation between the county administration, traditional leaders and residents would be important in addressing challenges facing Mvolo.
In Mundri East, community member Clement Ibrahim Laku said residents are pleased to receive Bakiet.
Laku said the commissioner had arrived at a time when the county was facing challenges including poor roads and inadequate health and education facilities.
“As our commissioner has arrived, we hope the situation will be resolved. We need good health facilities, peace and education for our children, as well as good roads for movement,” Laku said.
He urged the new commissioner to work closely with residents and other local authorities to address the community’s needs.
A payam chief in Mundri East also called on Bakiet to work with local communities to restore peace and improve living conditions.
The chief said conflict had displaced many people and left communities facing hunger and a lack of opportunities.
“Our people have been left behind, and many have run to other areas. The new county commissioner should work together with the community to bring peace. The community is suffering because of hunger and lack of opportunities,” the chief said.
The chief also called for employment opportunities for qualified local people and urged the county administration to involve communities in decision-making.
Commissioner pledges peace
Brown thanked President Salva Kiir Mayardit, the Western Equatoria State governor and his deputy for appointing him to lead Mvolo County.
He pledged to work with residents to maintain peace and promote development.
“Mvolo is peaceful, and I will struggle as the eyes of the Governor and the President to restore total peace in the county. The election is coming, and people will vote for their own leaders peacefully,” Brown said.
He called on residents to support peace and participate peacefully in the upcoming elections.
Minister urges peace
Western Equatoria State Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement Abel Sudan, who accompanied Brown to Mvolo, commended residents for receiving the commissioner peacefully.
He urged other counties in the state to emulate the unity and cooperation demonstrated by the Mvolo community.
Sudan also called on people who remain in the bush to return home and participate peacefully in the electoral process.
“If we can sit together and live together, we will have total peace. Those in the bush should come home and participate in the elections. Avoid fighting and come and choose your leaders in the upcoming elections,” he said.
He urged communities to resolve differences through dialogue and compromise rather than hostility.
The Western Equatoria State government had earlier rejected claims circulating on social media that the newly appointed commissioners were being deliberately prevented from leaving Yambio.
State Information Minister Mohamed Juma Bistin said Brown had remained in Yambio for about five months, while difficulties securing official vehicles had contributed to the delay.
The government said some vehicles assigned to county authorities had been lost during the conflict and that efforts were under way to trace and recover them.
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