2/12/2008
The efforts to transform the SPLM to a sound National Political Party commenced late last year in Unity State. This process had begun in other states earlier since the GOSS was in place but with little head way in Unity State as the movement was still recovering from legacy of accepting the change, individuals resist change in favor of monopoly. For a while since the signing of the CPA, people have kind of wondered as to whether people in Unity State would ever be given a chance to elect their own leaders. This call is now getting answered.
This February, a team of SPLM leaders led by Aguer Deng Bol was dispatched to Unity State and began their work of transforming the SPLM structures over there. Since the GOSS and Unity State government was put in place, SPLM leaders at the state and county levels were hand picked and that process hindered peoples’ way forward in many areas of development and political processes, as the appointed individuals pledged strong allegiance to certain leaders, those who influenced their appointment than to their party, people and the nation’s interest. The SPLM team therefore is changing that style of commissioning leaders for public office. The SPLM team led by Mr. Aguer Deng began their work in Panyijiar, Mayendit and Leer counties in the South and will be moving North to Kock, Guit, Mayom, Rubkona, Abiemnum and then Panriang counties of Unity State. They are letting the people vote and letting people choose who they want to lead them. This is a very significant progress towards democratization. According to Mr. Aguer Deng Bol, “the choice belongs to party members (community); it is up to them to call upon them to elect a military or civilian leader to a public office.”
In Panyinjiar County the SPLM team was assisted by some Unity State SPLM Legislative assembly members led by Hon. John Tap Malual Wun (Speaker-Unity State Legislative Assembly), Hon. Galuak Doar, Hon. Mading Kok and Hon. Maria Nyakor Waat. Boma after Boma, Payam after Payam, county after county, the SPLM want to make it clear that democracy needs to start from down up. The SPLM team is also making sure that County Assemblies are well in place. This is a provision in the Interim Constitution of Southern Sudan and the SPLM want it implemented for peoples concerns and voices to be heard. The composition of the SPLM county leadership and County congresses are to be in line with SPLM guidelines, Southern Sudan Constitution and State Constitutions.
The following are the results of elections in Panyijiar, Mayiendit and Leer Counties.
Panyijiar, Panyijiar County
At around 10 pm 10th Feb 08 elections began. People lined up behind their candidates and the SPLM team counted the supporters of the candidates one after another. The election was believed to be free of corruption.
New Panyijiar County SPLM Secretariat
- William Gai Riak – SPLM Panyijiar County Secretary
- Simon Bentiu Yar SPLM County secretary for Political Affairs
- Martin Mabor Rout Secretary for Finance and Administration
- Sarah Nyagok Gatluak SPLM County Secretary for Culture and Information
- Marko Maker Ruach Syndicate for Popular Organization
- Philip Lam Marial research and planning
Mayiendit, Mayendit County
The election was conducted on the February 11th, 2008
New SPLM County Secretariat
- John Riek Madut Machar SPLM County Secretary
- Philip Kutey Chuol deputy and Secretary for Political Affairs
- George Gwor Top Chuol Secretary for Finance and Administration
- Nyakan Chany Reer Dak Secretary for Culture and Information
- John Chuol Tap Bechok Secretary Syndicate for Popular Organization
- Nyatueng Chuol Secretary for Research and Planning
Leer, Leer County
This election was conducted on the Feb.12th, 2008.
The election in the Leer County was unique that coincidentally, the Vice President of the GOSS, Dr. Riek Machar and his wife Angelina Jany Teny-the State minister of Mining in the Government of National Unity happened to be in the county for a funeral of a lost family member. On his part Dr. Riek Machar , “encouraged participants to respect the process.” “SPLM is our party, people have the right to nominate and elect whoever they wanted to occupy any position within the party, last year’s approach had some misunderstandings, the attempt to obstruct SPLA officers/NCO who are not active in military assignment was a misconception, any officer, commissioned and non-commissioned soldiers nominated by community and party members have the right to participate, those individuals who work as civil servants or with NGOs should not be denied their rights,” he added.
New SPLM County Secretariat
- Yuach Beding Jagey SPLM county secretary
- Peter Gatkuoth Malual, county secretary for political and administration
- Deng Tot Pech SPLM county secretary for finance
- Mrs. Ruth Nyaboth Touch, Syndicate for Popular Organization
- Gatiek Tiw-tiw Nyang for culture and information
- Daniel Kuong Nyuap secretary for research and planning
In this process the citizens of these counties gives credit to Mr. Aguer Deng and his SPLM team for getting them exercise their right to decide who should or shouldn’t lead them.
This information was obtained with the help of
Paul Machul Kuol – Reported from Panyijiar County
Mayiel Ket – Reported from
Kai Gaw and Matik Mulpiny Koah- Reported from
Samuel Lony Geng- Coordinated the effort to get this information to the people of Unity State wherever they may be. Will have results for the other remaining counties in the near future when their elections take place.
1 comments:
panyinjiar community,why did you elect someone like gai joak to be your commissioner? a person who the people 'stupid'.you will only blame yourselves
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