Kiir launches election campaign, declares Machar as his running mate
By James Gatdet Dak
February 24, 2010 (JUBA) – Salva Kiir Mayardit, the incumbent President of the semi-autonomous Southern Sudan and candidate of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), for the position of the president in the region, has officially launched campaign for April elections on Wednesday in the capital, Juba.
In his speech during the launching, Kiir also publicly announced to the people of Southern Sudan that his incumbent first deputy chairperson in the SPLM, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, is his running mate for the presidency and declared that he will remain his chosen Vice President if they win the election.
“Before you here I have Dr. Riek Machar Teny who was here before you. He is my running mate, and if we win the elections he will still remain my Vice President in the Government of Southern Sudan,” he told thousands of supporters who responded with long claps and ululations.
He told the people that he appreciated the support accorded to him by Dr. Machar in running the government for the last five years as both leaders stood high side by side in the podium for the people to see them.
He called on the people to support him [Dr. Machar] as both leaders were set to mobilize their supporters to re-elect and maintain them in the presidency.
Kiir also urged the citizens in Juba particularly in the Juba North constituency to vote for his second deputy in the party, James Wani Igga, to win the parliamentary seat to the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly. Igga is currently the Speaker of the Assembly.
The SPLM chairperson also called on the citizens of Central Equatoria state to vote for the incumbent governor, Maj. Gen. Clement Wani Konga, to remain governor in the state.
He said the SPLM-ruling Government of Southern Sudan has made significant changes during the last five years and will do more if re-elected to form the next government.
Kiir assured the people that he is committed to the vision of Dr. John Garang de Mabior to take towns to the people instead of people to the towns.
He appreciated the role played by women, saying if re-elected he would make sure that the women’s 25% representation is increased to 30%, as they continue to compete with men over the rest of 70%.
“I call youth young lions,” he said, adding the youth have played pivotal role in the liberation struggle, advising them to continue with their positive role and stay away from idleness.
Kiir recalled the days during the liberation struggle and lamented that his senior colleagues who founded the movement with him in 1983 have all perished, but assured that they have not died in vain.
He said he is the only survivor from the seven senior SPLM/A leaders, adding that he did “not choose to remain [alive but history chooses itself,” as he referred to his continuity with the struggle as the flag bearer.
Kiir also advised the people of Southern Sudan to remain united, which he said was paramount.
He said the elections should be conducted as stipulated in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), adding people should not run away from democracy now.
He called on the forces of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) not to intimidate contesters from other political parties, saying he did not want to hear complaints again from other parties about such activities by the SPLA.
The SPLM candidate for the presidency is challenged by the candidate and chairman of the breakaway Sudan People’s Liberation Movement for Democratic Change (SPLM-DC), Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin.
Kiir, whose campaign manager is Dr. Samson Kwaje, jokingly told the crowd that he would wish to see Dr. Lam Akol launching his election campaign for the Southern Sudan presidency in Juba.
He assured the people that the SPLM under his leadership will cross the river and take the people of Southern Sudan to the Promised Land.
Kiir is a veteran soldier who participated in the Anya-nya I war, then became officer in the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) after the Addis Ababa Agreement in 1972 and later on founded the SPLM/A with late Dr. John Garang in 1983.
His deputy, Dr. Machar was a political activist as a student in the University of Khartoum from early 1970s, then became academician holding a PhD in Strategic Planning in Industry from Scotland and joined the SPLM/A in 1984.
Kiir equally urged the people of Southern Sudan to vote for the SPLM candidate, Yasir Saeed Arman, for the post of the President of the Republic of Sudan, saying those southerners who doubt Yasir are wrong because if he wins he would not be an obstacle to referendum for the people of Southern Sudan.
(ST)
Gatwech
Kiir launches election campaign, declares Machar as his running mate
Bravo Salvatore Kiir Miyerdit.
Ahahahahaaaaaa……. You are trying to wake up and recover and become wise and clever, ah? You know that you need Dr. Machar to help you mobilize supporters in order to win the elections. That is good!
Have you finally liberated yourself from those tribal advisors like Luka Biong Deng and the rest who have been trying to split you with Dr. Machar? I thought they wanted a different ‘yes’ man Vice President who would allow you to establish a tribal kingdom in the South and allow his people’s land to be grabbed at will while entertaining your leadership. A dream land of full blown tribal kingdom!!!
I am glad that you have recognized Dr. Machar’s contribution which they have been trying to deny and want him to continue helping you to run the government. But no, no, no… you will NEVER be sworn in as the next and first ELECTED president of the South Sudan government. Don’t ask me why… No matter how clever you try to go around it in your recent wake up move.
You have become a liability, Salvatore, and somebody else should try it on the top, not you. Give way to somebody. Go home to Gogrial and have a good dignified rest, or move to Australia where your family owns that big house… I guess you have not built a house yet for your family in Warrap state.
johnmaker
Kiir launches election campaign, declares Machar as his running mate
I don’t think Dr.Lam Akol would Launched is campaign in south sudan.May be in Khartoum.He knows very well if he step feet to the land he foresake that will be the end of his life.That man is a danger to southern.He is an arab agent.
Controller
Kiir launches election campaign, declares Machar as his running mate
Great speech Mr. President
Mr. President you really need DR. Riek Machar beside you inorder for you to win election.
Mr. President Kiir I am very proud of you for coming out in public and told Dinka Bors who hate Dr. Riek Machar that the Government of South Sudan and CPA , are running effectively and smoothly because of Dr. Riek Machar.
Mr. President I am so proud of you that you told Cowardic Dinka Bors, that without Dr. Riek Machar, there wouldn,t be CPA today.
The 1991 incident , was a party of preaching democratic government in Dinka Bors community who knew nothing about democracy.
The Dinka Bor commentators will never agreed with President Kiir for praising Dr. Riek Machar for his good hard working.
Finally, Dinka bors will never act like human being, unless someone from heaven come and tell them truth. That is why Dinka of Bhar el Ghazal are better than Dinka Bors.
Thanks
babadit
Kiir launches election campaign, declares Machar as his running mate
Our man have finally voice out his campaign agendas as far as the Election is concern, i think he is right , to dance along side Dr.Machar and Wani Igga is abig thing he thought of.
Long live SPLM
Hillary B.M.L,M
Kiir launches election campaign, declares Machar as his running mate
But Mr. Salver should allow his opponent to exercise freely otherwise is not an election but reshuffling of other Positions and sticking others as mentioned above as Salver, Machar and Speaker James are going to be……….
Padiet Deng Alony
Kiir launches election campaign, declares Machar as his running mate
Moses promised Joshua to lead his People to the Promised Land. The Land of Milk and Honey. “The South Sudan Nation”. Go ahead Kiir Young Lions are behind you,till you be the first elected President for South Sudan Country not again the Semi-autonomous goverment, I bet for that anticipation.
PT92/Apadang is coming
Time1
Kiir launches election campaign, declares Machar as his running mate
SPLM has already won this elections even before it started. SPLM is the party of the majority, about 90% of southerners support SPLM vision.
Kuany Dak
Kiir launches election campaign, declares Machar as his running mate
Dear all,it is good tactic that Saliva moved away from the idea of the SPLM political bureau that they originally nominated Wani Iga to become running mate. Better to retreate in such decision that will lead SPLM losing more seats and even them presidency in the south to Dr.Lam Akol. One thing is left is to change away from culture of corruption in Juba when they pass this April election. I think, Saliva gangs knew that it cost them something if the Dr. Riek Machar is not in the ticket. They knew that people do not trust them, but people trust Machar more than they do to Saliva. South Sudan is the government that has no check and balance. Judiciary people are nominated by the president and they cannot prosecute those who are practicing corruption in government because they do not have power to do so. Even legislature have limited power to pass laws and do what the president them to do. It is strange situation whereby, corruption is the practice of the day. Saliva is violating constitution right of all people in the south but with violation he is going to run with military uniform in the south.
Thank you,
Kuany Dak