S. Sudan parliament suspends investigations into Lam Akol’s activities
By Julius N. Uma
September 5, 2011 (JUBA) — A motion, seeking an investigation into Lam Akol’s alleged links with rebels in South Sudan’s Upper Nile, was on Wednesday indefinitely suspended by the country’s national assembly.
In her presentation before the assembly, Nyoka claimed she had substantial evidence that allegedly links the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement for Democratic Change (SPLM-DC) leader to various rebel groups in and outside the county, adding that an August report released by the UN Secretary General (UNSG) also questions the SPLM-DC’s activities in the country.
It is not, however clear why the August House suspended the motion, a day after scores of the assembly members had requested for a probe into the leading opposition leader’s return and his earlier activities.
Speaking to Sudan Tribune shortly after the parliamentary session, Onyoti Nyikwec Adigo, the SPLM-DC’s leader in the assembly lauded the assembly’s decision, describing it as a political victory and a step in the right direction.
“I always knew this motion seeking to investigate Dr. Lam Akol over these allegations was a wrong move. The SPLM-DC’s leader’s return was something that must have been discussed before the council of minister and the president’s powers cannot be ignored,” he said.
Adigo also dismissed his counterpart’s motion, saying any evidence that links the SPLM-DC to rebel activities is simply “baseless holds no ground.”
Akol, leader of the break-away faction of South Sudan’s ruling party made a surprise return on Sunday, three days after talks with President Salva Kiir in Nairobi, Kenya.
The meeting, sources revealed, was meant bury the political hatchet between the two leaders who bitterly contested for South Sudan’s presidency in April 2010. However, although President Kiir won with about 93 percent, his rival accused the electoral commission of gross malpractices in favor of the incumbent.
Since then, Akol has been accused by the southern leadership of having very close links with the rebel group headed by former SPLA (army) renegade Gen. George Deng Athor. Athor picked up arms against the southern government after losing elections in his bid to become Governor of South Sudan’s Jonglei state.
On several occasions, however, the SPLM-DC leader has repeatedly denied all these wave of allegations; often pointing fingers at those he calls “political enemies”.
Following the accusations made by SPLM-DC former secretary general and two other figures, Akol said people who have evidence on the implication of his party with the rebel groups can just bring it to the court.
(ST).