Salva Kiir submits candidacy application amid confusion of his military status
January 24, 2010 (JUBA) – The President of the Government of Southern Sudan and SPLM’s candidate for the position of president in the region for the upcoming April elections is scheduled to submit his candidacy application to the Southern Sudan High Elections Committee on Monday.
The Chairman of the SPLM Youth League and member of the party’s Political Bureau, Akol Paul Kordit, on Sunday issued a televised statement urging citizens in Juba to come out in the morning on Monday between 9:00 and 10:00AM to escort the President to the premises of the Southern Sudan High Elections Committee where he will submit his candidacy application.
Kiir’s application will first be scrutinized by the Southern branch of the Elections Commission before further being submitted to the NEC headquarters in Khartoum to make sure that all the requirements are met.
One of the requirements which recently left the public of Southern Sudan rather confused is the issue of Kiir’s military status.
The law requires that any candidate aspiring to contest for public office while in the military must resign from the military. This also applies to those who work as civil servants or judges.
Kiir is a general in the army and heads the recently formed SPLA Command Council composed of more than 40 senior military officers, but his aide says he was already retired since 2005.
Earlier, two senior officials issued contradicting statements when Dr. Luka Biong Deng said Kiir was retired since 2005 by late Dr. John Garang and the SPLM Secretary General was quoted by a local newspaper, The Juba Post, saying Kiir would retire from the military as the law required.
Dr. Biong also explained that Kiir would maintain being the Commander-in-Chief of the army as long as he is the President because constitutionally it doesn’t matter whether the President is a civilian or retired from the military.
A military source however revealed that Kiir was actually retired by late Dr. John Garang in 2005 at the rank of Lt. General. He continued to say that Kiir silently reinstated himself in the army after the death of Dr. John Garang and promoted himself to the rank of 1st Lt. General.
These contradicting statements in addition to what the public witnessed have brought reactions and the need for clarity to the public and to the Elections Commission as well.
“I agree that Kiir should maintain being the Commander-in-Chief [of organized forces] since he is the President. But I am not convinced by his comments which say he already retired since 2005. Why do I see him wearing his uniform and using the title if he was retired?” said one of the students at Juba University.
Another businessman who identified himself as Garang Ezekiel expressed frustration over the issue.
“Our President should not play with our minds and against the law. Does he think that we don’t see him in military uniform? To him what does it mean to wear a military uniform? I even see him sometimes on SSTV chairing the cabinet meetings in his full military gear. The world also sees him on the same SSTV,” Garang said.
“Kiir should either tell us frankly that he was wearing the uniform and using the title illegally, which is against the law; or if he reinstated himself in the military he should publicly decree his retirement from the army,” he continued.
(ST)
kuminyandi
Salva Kiir submits candidacy application amid confusion of his military status
Again, hold on to your positions, it is really heating up now! And I love it.
Kumi,
Samson
Salva Kiir submits candidacy application amid confusion of his military status
The only thing was because he himself as coward that is why he played people is mind by lied in public eyes or media. I know he still wearing Military Uniform. illiterate leader never know the different between the civil and Army… Plus is stupid ad visor.
wang
Salva Kiir submits candidacy application amid confusion of his military status
Be honset to the public Kiir, it obvious now you are wearing military uniform and its against the laws.
Dinka Boy
Salva Kiir submits candidacy application amid confusion of his military status
Salva Kiir Mayardit must be president of Goss, Chairman of the army force and any military by all means. period.
Any Nyagat must shut up. Those people who are complaining that Salva Kiir is wearing Unifor illegally are problematics and that will cause more confusion what you guys will think as acondussive in the entire South. He must wear uniform till 2011 by all means whether you guys want it or not. No more complaint at the moment. If NEC reject Salva Kiir because of power greedy wish then South will declear South independent by force that it.
There are those Nyagatins who are chasing the dirty wind ,but you guys will get blind.Please that statement which that Salva was retire by Late Dr Garang de Mabior must be disregarded. period! let see if we all be happy.
I am fade up with power greed Nyagatins in the South.
Dinka Boy
Salva Kiir submits candidacy application amid confusion of his military status
Salva Kiir must be president of Goss, and the chaiman of army.period!
He must wear uniform till 2011 and other if NEC reject him then that will be the declearation of Independent South.
Wearing uniform is nothing even Bashier wear them recently. That complian is for Nyagtins power greedy but these problem will reach threshold and that is how we fuck people.
Gatwech
Salva Kiir submits candidacy application amid confusion of his military status
Dear readers,
This game of ‘hide and seek’ by Kiir and his downfall advisor Luka Biong Deng will not help the situation. Kiir should just decree his retirement from military publicly and also handover the military command council.
He can remain the commander-in-chief of the SPLA because he is president unless the law says otherwise “prior” to the elections.
This hide and seek game is a shame and is belittling the president. People will think he is a liar when he says that he was already retired but still puts on military uniform.
Where is the parliament to intervene or does it leave the issue to the mercy of the elections commission?
kuminyandi
Salva Kiir submits candidacy application amid confusion of his military status
Do you know what I am thinkin? I want to see who is gonna be a first field marshal from the South sudan’s army.
braveheart
Salva Kiir submits candidacy application amid confusion of his military status
Dear All
I THINK THE RIGHT TERM HERE KIIR NEEDS TO BE “RELIEF” NOT RESIGNED FROM THE POST OF C-in-C SINCE HE IS THE PRESIDENT OF GOSS WHILE HE IS BEING RUN-OFF FROM THE ELECTION. IF HE LOSE THE ELECTION, THEN HE SHOULD BE RESIGNED FROM THAT POST. IF HE WINS, THEN HE SHOULD BE “RE-INSTATED” AS C-in-C.
Simple as that….
Braveheart
“bring the old format of SudanTribune Back. This new formar is not user friendly to majority of its user here.”
Mr Famous Big_Logic_Boy
Salva Kiir submits candidacy application amid confusion of his military status
This is not about leadership anymore in my eyes, Kiir and his tribal advisor mr Biong has become a father of tribalism with his prejudice attitude. South sudan has been experience worse situation due to the incapable leadership, yet people with especial interest like Biong are supporting Mr Kiir to continue dragging us throughout the rough policy. Since CPA up to date nothing has been improved, insecurity is getting out of hands, corruption has become the culture in the government, tribalism has become the only strategy to keep each individual within his position and poor government has become the facial point on the image of GOSS. It means almost everything has been nothing since 2005.
People like Biong who work for the interest of their own should be the first dole to oust from GOSS, this advisor deserve to exit GOSS by all meants whether forcfull or peacfull. The image of this government is now being interpret into more than 5 meanings, corrupt, incapable, tribalism, tyrant, remiss, careless and many more. GOSS has totally fail its duty. Individual like Kiir should never be supported to continue the agony in South. Change is the only key to better environment and fair nation. We have genuine leaders such Dr Hero Riek, Dr Hero Lam, Hon Hero Igga, Amum and many more to pull our people from the pain. What is really sweet about KIIR if I could direct this question to Mr biong? the ruling system in GOSS must not be treated in unacceptable way that we are majority to rule, this is absolutely wrong. Take an example with vietnam and American war, how many American where there compared to the vietnamese.
Ladies and gentlemt whether you are from Kiir’s tribe or family mind about the better management of this nation not supporting Kiir to totally ruin our people forever. It is always good to bring the fire under control earlier than later. Kiir and his Biong has done enough and worse impacts to this nation. Its not time for millitary to keep Kiir around any corner of SPLA, he must go with his biong who always blatant about him. Kiir should retire and remain somewhere as a local citizen of South Sudan. This spirit of some people enouraging tribal management in South is unacceptable, we are progressing for better nation through transformation system. The attitide of tribalism will bring devastation into society. Soon nor later people in South will start to break apart right from GOSS, state and tribes, which obviously result from the tribal leadership in South. For our unity lets focus on good goverrance not majority. I always yearn for unity and security not separation or tribalism.
New Year Message continuous to inspire
Time for tribalism has gone, its new year 2010 which is not a time to generalise tribe or community instead of one person. It is time to focus on the real issue far from tribal criticism, political party criticism, leaders criticism, and very far from abuses or insults. We should also debate far from abuses of any single commenter on ST forum, to myself I want to be a man of tolerance, peace, responsbility, respect, forgiveness, love, unity and courage . It is time to get serious and work for the betterment of my nation South Sudan Democratic Republic of Victoria, South Sudan should be call Victoria, because the long struggle is victory, CPA is victory, South Sudan liberation is victory, our insecurity will be a victory, election and referrendom are potential victories. South Sudan future source of hydro electricity power is White nile which has its source at Lake Victoria, unqestionable the name fits.
I didn’t change myself because of pressure or whatsoever, it could be my 2010 resolution. Sometimes you don’t expect the public to pay their attention on you.Brave man conquers the fear like I did previously. However I come to realised that, I am not truly free if I am taking away and abusing someone else’s freedom of expression and speech, just as I am not free when my freedom is taken from me and been abused. This is why I finally come to reason that, me and the rest of concern Southerns will transformed South Sudan into a country that is not comfortable place for those who opposed to democracy, parliamentary law, parliamentary debate, independent and fair courts. For now lets start new year with fresh mind and positive ideas that will improvement the managment of South Sudan, childish comments must be ignored. Some individual comment aggressively when they are defeated in debate, this spirit must be abandon. We are here to play a game ie you get defeated or you defeat others defends on the article and the extend of your debate, but don’t insult people. This is my new year inspiring message to ST viewers, contributors, pseuds, readers and editor. Finally if you come across a mistake or opposing view, please address it with dignity.
Mr Famous Big_Logic_Boy
Time1
Salva Kiir submits candidacy application amid confusion of his military status
Everyone do not rush to conclusion, SPLM SG did state it clearly that the issue of the presidency of south sudan was not clear and is being looked at within the constitution and if it permits for Kirr to be a civilian or army man to run, also they are studying if the South Sudan constitution if enough to allow Kirr to run, South Sudan constitution does not put any restriction on a southerners to run for presidency as an army within the interim period, but it has restriction beyong the interim period, the interim period is not over yet, so Kirr will make his decision based on this review, then am sure he will be ready to be a civilian , there is not problem with that, but soon as he wins the elections he will be back as commander in chief and can also be reinstated.So do not jump to conclusion based on rumours and flase alarms from the Arabs in the NCP, just because omer bashir resigned they thought that Kirr should also resign at the same time, but every one has their own plan and time.
Khent
Salva Kiir submits candidacy application amid confusion of his military status
Salva Kirr should relinquish the position of Commander-in-Chief… he should cede the position immediately. The position should be entrusted to men like Lt. Gen. Nhial Deng Nhial, or to Lt. Gen. Bior Ajang Dut.
Time1
Salva Kiir submits candidacy application amid confusion of his military status
For those who do not know how it works, the position of the commander-in-chief or the armed forces is reserved only to the president and head of the state, no body else can jump to that position or be appointed to that position, it is reserved for the head of the state only, If the head of the state resigns or is not available then the vice president of the country becomes the commander-in-chief, this is symbolic most of the time, because the real power of the army lies with the defence ministry and the general chief of staffs of the army is the real power int he army.
M.Cool.J
Salva Kiir submits candidacy application amid confusion of his military status
Kiir must be fined for stealing the highest pos
sible top position,the position of C-in-C.
He was retired by Garang and he has been appearing in Military uniforms,cheat!This alone disqualifies him from presidency.
Gatwech
Salva Kiir submits candidacy application amid confusion of his military status
Mike,
I think you are lost on who you should blame. Please go back and read my only two comments above and you will find that there is nothing about tribes that I mentioned.
I was talking about the system and the constitution. I did not even mention a single tribe. So where did your accusation come from?
Just blame Dinka Boy and the rest and try to read comments first before you blame.
Gatwech
CITIZENS OF JUBA REFUSED TO ACCOMPANY SALVA KIIR TO THE NEC OFFICE
Dear readers,
Salva Kiir is rejected! What happened today in Juba is a serious indication which, if he senses things, Kiir would have known that he is rejected.
Guys I have received an email from one of my friends there in Juba. He told me that despite the mobilization done on Sunday, the people in Juba refused to come out and accompany Salva Kiir to the NEC branch office in Juba. He said only small number of a handful of supporters from his home area turned up.
I thought he was exaggerating until his observation has now been confirmed by Lokora who is also on the ground there in Juba and witnessed the event.
Please read Lokorai’s comment below in his response to Zechariah Manyok Biar’s shameful article.
………………….
Mr. Zachariah,
That is too much garbage to come to the open.
Wonder as it is, a graduate can’t daily stuffed an important website full of intellectuals with broken hypothesis; one piece here and another one there, what a future!
May be one of the commentators (Gatwech) sum it up somewhere in his always keen anaysis.
Dinka, you are a disgrace to the people of Southern Sudan.
Look Kiir two hours ago moved shameless to the Office of the NEC here in Juba; he was escorted by his Dinka supporters.
Imagine he didn’t clear the air on the controversial military ties. I pray that him and his dogs kiss the ground in shame when Khartoum returns his papers.
Lokorai
Time1
Salva Kiir submits candidacy application amid confusion of his military status
Kirr has been cofirmed to have resignbed from the army sinces 2005 during the time of Dr Garang.
The Election comission in south sudan says Salva Kirr will be declared the president of south sudan on the 27th of january if no other candidates come forward.
Khent
Salva Kiir submits candidacy application amid confusion of his military status
Gatwech:
Scream and yell, jump up and down, call everyone names…nobody cares.
Why would the SPLM elevate a traitor, again?
Can you provide provisions from the Interim Constitution that specifically prescribe that the Deputy Commander-in-Chief (Matip)- be the sole prospective candidate for the position of Commander-in-Chief?
I implore you to answer, fully and candidly- with facts and not with your usual verbiage. I doubt that you will, because, well… you’re a bewildered, confounded, and miserably perplexed man.
“Command and control of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army shall vest in the President of the Government of Southern Sudan as its Commander-in-Chief, *assisted* by the Chief of General Staff, his or her deputies and other staff members.”
The Interim Constitution: Command and Control-
No provision in either the Interim Constitution, or in the SPLA act of 2009 advocates for the elevation of the Deputy Commander-in-Chief to the position of Commander-in-Chief, under any circumstances.
Dissemblers, distorters and delusives are welcomed to offer their *best fibs* against the facts denoted above.
Gatwech, why do you continue to falsely cite sources while pretending they support you, and then ignore their direct evidence and conclusions which contradict you?
The sources do not agree with you. But you can’t read, so….. Continue to make a fool of yourself.
For an argument as ridiculously simple as the one you portray… It only makes sense that you would have provided requisite evidence by now. The question is… Why an argument-as simple as you put it — is so astonishingly challenging for you?
Principle must guide our selection of men for all positions. A life that has been devoted to the services of our enemies does not deserve praise, reverence and elevation. It would be preposterous for a man, who fought against an army for over two decades- to be elevated to the postion of Commander-in-Chief of the very same armed forces he collided with.
Appointments should be predicated upon a range of prerequisites and requirements… fidelity (loyalty) is exceedingly important-Matip’s previous adherence to the despotic will of our enemy (until 2006)- precludes Matip from being possibly allowed to exercise the powers afforded by the position of Commander-in-Chief. Ceding him the position of Commander-in-Chief would simply amount to the flattery of treachery.
Matip has been ceded a senior position-(Deputy Commander-in-Chief)… a position which he attained without toil, without sacrifice, and most important of all- without loyalty.
He has been esteemed above men who have demonstrated *loyalty*, sacrifice & toil. His well-wishers should take that into consideration, and be content.
Endlessly catapulting Khartoum’s former mercenary to new dizzying heights would inflame the hearts of loyal & dilligent men; our acceptance of his return and the position that we afforded him- was compromise enough.