The Republic of South SudanFrom: Thiang Community in Phom El Zeraf – Fangak County
To: the office of the Minister of Local Government, Jonglei State
Subject: Petitioning the commissioner: The case of Old Fangak Payam!
Fangak, August 10, 2012 (SSNA) — Reference to the meeting held on 24/07/2012 between the commissioner of Fangak County and the members of Thiang community in Phom El Zeraf, against the rumours that were going on for some time, below are the excerpts and points discussed with the commissioner during the aforementioned meeting that took place in Phom. The said meeting was precipitated by the rumours that were heard by the Mareang community members regarding Old Fangak Payam and its surrounding bomas, with the commissioner allegedly saying that Thiang should no longer be considered inhabitants of Old Fangak Payam. As a result, the Thiang community sent a five-member committee to meet with the commissioner so as to ascertain facts as opposed to relying on rumours and ear-says.
The committee from Thiang community met with the commissioner on 24th of July, 2012, and the commissioner bluntly told the five-member committee that Old Fangak Payam is not your Payam and you should keep your hands off from claiming it. He mentioned in the meeting that the Payam, which was previously in Old Fangak, will now be shifted to Toch Boma; which will change its status from Boma to Payam. When the committee inquired about the fate of those people from Thiang community residing in the surrounding Bomas at Old Fangak and the school that was built in Wangchot Boma with the CDF funds, he literally told the members that if you want, you can remove the school located at Wangchot and go with it. He went as far as suggesting the removal of the tomb of late head chief, Duol Riik Tutroal from Wangchot. The Thiang community committee members were outraged and alarmed by these words coming out from the commissioner, who was supposed to maintain peace and unity amongst the people of Fangak instead of dividing the people by causing havoc and friction by making these outrageous remarks. When the committee heard this, they disagreed outright with the commissioner about the issue of Old Fangak Payam being shifted to Toch Boma. We told him that we were fully aware of the local government records that only recognize Old Fangak Payam as being for Thiang community in addition to Mareang Payam. Therefore, we only know Old Fangak Payam to be our Payam; and not Toch, as being preached by the commissioner and his cohorts.