A heated confrontation erupted during the National Economic Conference at Raddison Blu Hotel, Juba, as Professor John Akec, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Juba, interrupted Governor Joseph Nguen Monytuil of Unity State, causing quite a stir among the attendees.
Governor Joseph, whose Unity State is heavily impacted by flooding, is a vocal advocate for dredging the Naam River. He believes that this exercise can alleviate the severe flooding challenges faced by the state. However, his stance is in direct contrast with that of Professor John Akec, who is firmly against the dredging exercise.
The disagreement reached a boiling point during the conference when an agitated Professor Akec tried to intervene during Governor Joseph’s speech on the matter. The abrupt interruption led to a moment of heightened tension, which required the intervention of individuals nearby to calm the professor down.
This incident underscores the divisive nature of the dredging debate in South Sudan, with significant figures holding strong, conflicting views on the matter.