Sacking of Lakes state governor was “regrettable”, says SPLM official

October 22, 2013 (RUMBEK) – A senior member of South Sudan’s ruling party in Lakes state described as “regrettable” president Salva Kiir’s decision to replace the elected state governor Chol Tong Mayay with controversial caretaker governor Matur Chut Dhuol in January this year.

Mabor Ater Dhuol, the secretary of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) in Lakes state, said the state was suffering from Dhuol’s tough security measures.

He said that governor Tong’s opponent’s were expecting to “celebrate his removable” but the was “no celebration” because of the actions of the his replacement governor Dhuol, who said was not well educated or informed about the world.

Ater was speaking to Sudan Tribune after being threatened by Lakes state military caretaker governor Dhuol in a meeting attended by SPLM state chairman Daniel Awet Akot.

Governor Dhuol is allegedly to have warned Ater that his security would be at risk if he did not leave the his position as Lakes state SPLM secretary.

In September, Ater announced the appointment of four SPLM county secretaries, but they were all blocked by the governor who described his actions as “political suicide”.

The Lakes state branch of the SPLM controversially appointed Mabor Ater Dhuol as the new party secretary at the beginning of the year but senior figures boycotted his swearing in ceremony in Rumbek in February.

The division over Ater’s selection erupted in September 2012 when his appointment was announced by Lakes state’s SPLM chairperson, Daniel Awet Akot.

(ST)

ST – Lakes state governor blocks appointments made by SPLM secretary