Jonglei governor-elect calls for calm as opponent hides
May 1, 2010 (BOR) – Kuol Manyang Juuk, the caretaker governor of Jonglei State who won April polls, today called for calm as defeated independent gubernatorial candidate George Athor Deng, accused of attacking a military base in neighboring Upper Nile State on Friday, spend a second day out of sight.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Mr. Kuol says the situation is under control and security measures have been taken to avert extension of atrocities to Jonglei territory.
“I ask the people of Jonglei to remain calm and avoid listening to rumors over phones,” said Kuol Manyang Juuk, the Jonglei governor-elect. He also refutes claim that the Doleipin Hill attack, by civilians loyal to Mr. Athor in Upper Nile State, is affiliated to April polls.
Doleipin Hill, a military barrack for the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) was attacked early on Friday by armed gunmen. Seven people died and 25 others wounded including SPLA soldiers and civilians.
Five attackers are captured and allegedly confessed that their actions were coordinated by defeated independent candidate for Jonglei governorship, George Athor Deng. Mr. Athor is reportedly discontented with election outcome that declared Kuol Manyang as the winner with vote difference of nearly 100,000.
Jonglei, south Sudan’s vast-populous state, suffered tribal conflicts in 2009 with death toll reaching 2,000. The electoral campaigns and polls were peaceful but tension rose after the announcement of results that were won by the southern Sudan ruling party; the SPLM.
Kuol Manyang (SPLM) obtained 165,387 of valid votes (66.2%). George Athor Deng (Independent) comes second with 67,639 votes (27.1%) as Joseph Duer Jakor (NCP) trails with 16,704 votes (6.7%).
The NCP gubernatorial contender in Jonglei State Joseph Duer Jakor phoned and congratulated SPLM’s victory, Mr. Kuol revealed today saying “I should have done the same [congratulate a winner] if I lost”.
Asked to comment on the hypothesized voting rigging to secure victory in last month’s election, Mr. Kuol said: “The National Election Commission (NEC) is not under my command and if Athor has complaint he should open his case against NEC”.
Athor could not be reached for reaction but he told the BBC on Friday that he never took part in the attack and blamed SPLA internal dispute on his alleged arrest.
GOOD MAN ERASING GOOD HISTORY
Looking back at records, the main rival in the race to Jonglei governorship, Kuol Manyang described Athor Deng as a “good man” who contributed tremendously during the war of liberation.
Speaking in a combative mood, Kuol says he is “sad” that George Athor is “erasing a history of good contribution” particularly when he resisted and 1991 Nassir defectors had been in his hometown of Khorfulus. For Goerge Athor great work, Kuol recalls, forces opposing SPLA/M’s course to liberation of the Sudan’s marginalized people were defeated.
Calling on George Athor to reconsider the objectives of SPLA/M since its inception in 1983 of peace, freedom and prosperity, Kuol says it is vital to halt oppressive assaults on civilians and allow peace a chance “so that we prepare our people for referendum”.
Since the Friday attack in Upper Nile territory, Mr. George Athor’s whereabouts is unknown.
The fear among the public is how swiftly the Government of South Sudan will respond to the security threat mobility will be overshadowed by the rainy season that just began. Khorfulus in Pigi County, where George stays before the attack, lacks roads.
(ST)