N. Bahr el Ghazal Speaker objects third vote of no confidence

By Ngor Arol Garang

October 12, 2009 (ABYEI) — Angelo Marach Thiik, Speaker of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State today issued statement objecting third motion passing vote of no confidence by the member of the assembly against him.

The move comes amid preparation by members of the legislative assembly to swear in his rival Lt.col Majang Ngor Kuany as new speaker tomorrow Tuesday. Ngor was picked last week and endorsed by SPLM caucus since the contested chair belongs to the ruling party.

In a letter addressed to Acting Speaker of Northern Bahr-El-Ghazal State Assembly — with copy to Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit President of GOSS, James Wani Igga Speaker of SSLA, and others — he objected the move taken by members of the house to pick new speaker and regarded the third motion as violation as state constitution.

Thiik said that his objection is based on regulation defined by the state assembly law which requires that a speaker accused of crimes or gross misconduct related to the state affairs has to defend him-self first before the court.

“I was not present myself or my lawyer in any court,” he said adding the legislator had no legal base to organize the election.

The Speaker said, he did not attend the election because he was still on forced leave that confined him to his house.

“I was detained in my house guided by law enforcement agencies which prevented me to appear in person to defend myself against any allegations,” he said.

He continued to say “this is complete violation of regulation under 86 related to the assembly conduct of business which clearly states that any vote of no confidence against Speaker must not be less than three third of whole assembly membership of forty eight members.”

He stressed that the election setting was attended by 41 including fictive members as Mr. Deng Chol Atem who resigned ten month ago from Assembly, and he is no longer a member in the assembly.

“Not only that but also continued to add that three third of forty eight (48) members, require is thirty six (36) members to complete vote of no confidence.”

The speaker pointed out only 32 members from the 41 supported the motion while other eight members were against it.

“Because of having not followed all the required procedures including their refusal to go to the court to defend their claims that I have assembly funds among other allegations they made against me, I consider the motion not a valid.”

He further said that the second motion presented against him contained elevens charges but after having realized that “I was defeating them, they reduced charges to eight which I still do not know.”

SWEAR IN CELEBRATION OF NEW SPEAKER

Members of Northern State Legislative Assembly Monday said they preparing for official swearing in ceremony of the new Speaker on Tuesday 13.

“We have been busy sending out oral messages and letters of invitation to government officials, local leaders, chiefs including youth, women groups , media and indeed those wishing to attend the swearing in ceremony tomorrow morning at the assembly hall,” said Hon. Garang Aguer.

The member of state assembly, who sounded happy, said encouraged the entire population to attend saying this is because of being a first time for Assembly to organize such a day of swearing in elected speaker.

He also continued to add that members from other political parties in the assembly today endorse SPLM nomination of Lt.col, Majang Ngor Kuany as new Speaker, replacing Hon. Marac Thiik.

(ST)