SPLM-IO makes headcount of South Sudanese in the Diaspora
September 8, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudan’s armed opposition faction, SPLM-IO, has established a Diaspora Database Bureau to compile names of South Sudanese in the Diaspora during the pre-interim period for the purposes of planning, revealed the office of the opposition’s chairman.
The bureau to be headed by Dominic Itto will coordinate with chapters of the opposition faction abroad.
The spokesperson for the opposition leader, Riek Machar, said the bureau to compile South Sudanese in general and supporters of the SPLM-IO in particular was established on 7 September in an order issued by the chairman and commander-in-chief of SPLM/SPLA, Riek Machar.
“The leadership has established a Diaspora Database Bureau. This is to separately compile membership of South Sudanese in the Diaspora in general and supporters of SPLM/SPLA in particular,” said James Gatdet Dak, press secretary of the opposition leader.
He said the aim for the compilation was to assist in future planning, provide common pool for professionals and assess the skilled human resource of the supporters.
Dak claimed that the opposition group has majority number of supporters residing in countries such as the United States, Canada and Australia, among others.
It is believed that the opposition plans to deploy its qualified or experienced members and supporters to various capacities in accordance with the power sharing provided for in the peace agreement signed with president Salva Kiir’s government on 26 August.
(ST)