Kiir crisscrosses counties of Greater Upper Nile’s three states
March 15, 2010 (JUBA) – The incumbent President of the Government of Southern Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit, and candidate for the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) contesting for re-election to the same position in April elections, has crisscrossed several counties in the three states of Greater Upper Nile region.
Kiir in all those visits has been accompanied by his declared “running mate”, the incumbent Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, whose Kiir has always been confirming to people in all the rallies he addressed in the states that Dr. Machar would continue to be the Vice President for the next five years if SPLM is re-elected to the Southern Sudan presidency.
The two always addressed their supporters in each and every rally, mobilizing them to vote for them and the rest of the SPLM candidates, with particular emphasis on the governors.
Kiir assured the people that the SPLM is the only party capable of crossing the people to the Promised Land, which means possible independence through the conduct of referendum in January 2011.
He called on the citizens not to use violence during the elections but peacefully vote for their chosen leaders.
While in Bor town, the historical area in which the most recent rebellion against Khartoum’s regime took place on 16th May 1983 by the forces led by late Kerubino Kwanyin Bol, Kiir assured that the SPLM was going to win the elections and continue with implementation of its programs and the outstanding issues in the CPA.
Also addressing thousands of citizens in Bor town, Dr. Riek Machar hailed the changes that have taken place in Bor during the last two years. He said Bor town is not the same Bor of 2005 or of 2007, but has changed and that they should continue to support the party and vote for the SPLM to make more of these positive changes that would include opening up roads to the other counties in the state.
Salva Kiir was unchallenged during the party’s nominations in Juba, and this to Dr. Machar was in order to keep the party united and called on the citizens of Jonglei state to embrace unity among the membership in the SPLM as a political party in particular and among the people of Southern Sudan in general.
Dr. Machar also warned that the people of Southern Sudan were soon going to pass through “very serious” stages in the elections and to be followed by the referendum, urging them to stand together and thrive.
Kiir launched his elections campaign in Juba on 24 February. His initial announced schedule after Bor’s visit would be Torit town, the first historical town where the liberation struggle of the people of Southern Sudan began in August 1955; about one year before Sudan gained independence from the colonial Britain in January 1956.
(ST)
