South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Mayak Majak Madit Tokjok
The government of Lakes State officially inaugurated Cuei-Adukan as a newly upgraded payam in Rumbek Centre County on Tuesday. The event was marked by a flag-raising ceremony attended by state officials, community leaders, and residents.
Speaking during the inauguration, Mathiang Deng Monydit, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, said that the population size of the Panyon community qualified them to have Cuei-Adukan upgraded to a payam, following deliberations in the Council of Ministers.
He noted that the community is located approximately 90 miles from Amok-Piny, and the state government will later determine the approval of social taxes from the Panyon community to support the construction of the new payam.
Mabor Meen Wol, the State Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement Agencies, stressed that the newly upgraded payam should not be renamed again.
He indicated that this request from the Panyon community was acted upon by the state authorities under the leadership of Governor Gen. Rin Tueny Mabor.
Wol further credited the stability in Lakes State to H.E. Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan. He remarked that peaceful coexistence in Lakes State has positively reshaped the state’s image, promoting agriculture, development, and business.
He added that upgrading the two bomas, Adol and Mopher, under Amok-Piny in Rumbek Centre County into Cuei-Adukan Payam was a significant advancement, cautioning that renaming areas has historically incited community disputes.
Wol asserted that payams do not require logos, pointing out that even the President’s and Governors’ payams across the nation’s 79 counties do not have them.
Hon. Dr. Akhol Paul Kordit, a member of the National Legislative Assembly under the SPLM Party List, stated that the government’s role is to enforce law and order while promoting human development, particularly through investment in the education of teenagers, which he identified as a priority for parents.
He clarified that the upgrade of payams is primarily an administrative expansion and does not change the languages or cultures of the people—the communities remain Agar and part of Rumbek Centre County.
Dr. Kordit also highlighted the lack of communication networks in the newly upgraded payams and promised the Panyon and Monytiik communities improved access to modern technology.
Ambassador Kau Nak Maper, South Sudan’s Ambassador to Sudan, echoed these sentiments, emphasising that literacy empowers citizens to work in both government and private sectors, urging parents to send more children to school.
He referenced the late Dr. John Garang De Mabior’s policy of “taking towns to the people” and urged the Commissioner of Rumbek Centre County to address the issue of street dogs, which threaten public safety and may compel residents to carry weapons for protection.
Meanwhile, Hon. Martha Adior Kuluel, Member of the State Legislative Assembly for Amok-Piny Constituency No. 3, explained that the decision to upgrade Cuei-Adukan payam, formerly a boma of Amok-Piny, was driven by the long distances residents had to travel.
She asserted that this justified the support from the government and Panyon stakeholders during the inauguration. She also noted that Abin-Jok of Monytiik was decreed alongside Cuei-Adukan by Governor Rin Tueny Mabor on 14th August 2025, recognising them as “twin payams.”
Ustaz Matur Ater Majieng, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Starford International University and Chairman of the Rup Community in Juba, stated that a land survey of Cuei-Adukan is expected soon.
He suggested that, following the survey, the community should donate approximately 500 square metres of land to establish a university, which would reduce the long distances students currently travel to study in Juba, Bor, and other towns.
Dr. Achol Ayom, Deputy Chairperson for HIV/AIDS at the national level, expressed gratitude to the Monytiik community for donating land to the Panyon community over five decades ago.
She stated that the state government’s recognition of this land as part of Cuei-Adukan payam strengthens peace and unity between the communities, paving the way for development following past communal clashes.
Mr. Makur Panyon Akech, Secretary General of the Panyon Development Agency (PDA) in Juba, called on the Panyon community, both at home and in the diaspora, to contribute to the construction of the Cuei-Adukan Payam administrative office.
He added that Panyon will hold another development meeting in December to mobilise resources for the progress of the new payam.
Paramount Chief of the Panyon community, Sebit Kuac Manyiel, urged his people to avoid segregating their neighbouring sisterly communities, including the Athoi of Rumbek East County, the Pakam of Rumbek North County, and the Kuei community of Rumbek Centre. He thanked the spiritual leaders of Panyon for guiding the youth away from crime and called for continued unity and peaceful coexistence.
