A ban on Arabic language in Eastern Equatoria government offices has provoked mixed reactions among residents.
Many people told Radio Emmanuel that they support the ban for a numbers of reasons that include abiding by the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, as well as making a deference between the South Sudan and Sudan.However, a section of residents objected to the immediate ban of Arabic Language, arguing that people need time to switch from Arabic into English since many people learned only Arabic.
Eastern Equatoria Secretary General circulated letters informing all director generals, heads of commissions, other government institutions and NGOs that Arabic was banned from the offices as means of official communications.
The ban followed the State Transitional Constitution that says English is the only official language of communication in Eastern Equatoria state.
Acting state Secretary General Peter Aitiy Lokong said the use of Arabic in communicating official information is against the laws of South Sudan and Eastern Equatoria.