Unity state youth want governor excluded from elections
September 8, 2014 (JUBA) – Youth from South Sudan’s Unity state said they fully support the recent council of ministers’ decision to hold next year’s elections, provided the process excludes the current caretaker governor, Joseph Monytuel.
A youth member, only identified himself as Deng, blamed Monytuel for failing to unite citizens during the conflict, now in its ninth month.
The caretaker governor was appointed by president Salva Kiir to replace his elected predecessor, Taban Deng Gai, who now leads the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) delegation involved in talks with the South Sudanese government.
The youth, mainly from Mayom county, have proposed four potential candidates for possible consideration for the position of governor. These include, Kuong Danhier Gatluak, the national minister for transport and roads, Stephen Buay, the army’s division one commander station at Renk, current deputy governor, Stephen Mabiak Lang, and ex-Mayom county commissioner, John Madeng Gatduel.
“We have proposed the four candidates because of their strong stand with the legitimately elected government in fighting against rebels. The four of them must go for primary elections since they are diehard of SPLM members and they have to agree on who will be the final candidate among them,” said a youth who asked not be named.
One of the youth accused Monytuel of adopting a poor strategy that hardly sustained pro-government army attack from rebel forces loyal to South Sudan’s former vice president, Riek Machar.
“Already six counties are out of control of the government. Only three counties, Parieng, Mayom and Abiemhnom are under the full control of the government. What does it mean for the government of South Sudan after losing six counties to the rebels?” he asked.
Bentiu, the capital of South Sudan’s oil-rich Unity state has changed hands several times between government and rebel forces since fighting broke out in the country late last year.
(ST)