Abyei administrator seeks presidential approval of the new cabinet

By Ngor Arol Garang

February 19, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — Deng Arop Kuol, new Abyei chief administrator opened his hand held diplomatic briefcase upon arrival from Abyei on Thursday 18 at Khartoum international airport saying he is in Khartoum to seek presidential approval of his cabinet.

A middle age man wearing black coat and a white t-short making him feel being the best official representative of President of the Republic, to manage Abyei affairs said he is in Khartoum to solicit number of support including finance from the presidency.

“I have come to meet President Bashir and members of the presidency for administrative issues including endorsement of the new cabinet,” Deng said.

The new cabinet replacing old faces included Achuil Akol for department of finance, Nyanwut Miyen for physical infrastructure and there are speculations that Kuol Arop Kuol, who had previously served with former administration, would retain his position as head of agriculture department.

SPLM holds lion share in Abyei administration; three departments were given to southern Sudan ruling party in accordance with Abyei protocol of power sharing. NCP grabbed two seats in the executive power sharing and four seats in legislative branch.

It holds services department of health combined with education, sports and public service under Ayom Matet Ayom and local government departments previously headed by Majiith Yak.

Earlier, the chief administrator stated that during few days he spent in the area local population conveyed clear message on their urgent need for immediate financial assistance to fund immediate return operation of Internally Displaced Persons who are still in Khartoum and other northern states.

He also talked of the need to consider increasing physical presence of the joint police in strategic places such as at the border but pointed out deployment of these forces needs special budget to buy equipments.

(ST)