SPLM confirms resignation of South Sudan government minister
May 20, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — After two weeks, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) confirmed today the resignation of a minister of the government of Southern Sudan, but an official said he remains member at the leadership of the movement.
Chairman of the Parliamentary Group of Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) at the National Assembly, Yasir Arman, said that the Minister for International Cooperation and Development of the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS), Nhial Deng Nhial resigned from his post but he is still a member of the SPLM Political Bureau.
Press reports said he was angry when he left Juba for Kampala, on Wednesday 17 May.
The son of the famous freedom fighter, William Deng, had resigned in protest against corruption in the GoSS and the lack of progress by the government in accomplishing projects on the ground for the people of the south despite enough time elapsing since the SPLM had taken over power from the National Congress following the signing of the peace agreement in January 2005.
Nhial Deng is considered one of the most prominent young southern personalities who actively participated in the Naivasha negotiations.
He was well-trusted by the late John Garang and together with Yasir Arman and Pagan Amum was one of the closest to the former SPLM leader. Deng was nominated to be one of Garang’s advisors at the presidency but due to Garang’s sudden death this was cut short.
After the signing of peace deal, Njial was charged by Garang to lead a 70-strong delegation of the SPLM to prepare his arrival to Khartoum and Juba.
Salva Kiir instead kept Deng as a minister in the GoSS. Deng preferred to work in the GoSS after Garang’s death and left Khartoum and has not returned since.
Sources said Nhial suffered from marginalisation within the Southern government. There was no allocated budget to his ministry since the formation of the GoSS.
Nhial Deng’s family is residing in Britain and Australia. He studied at the University of Khartoum and is a fluent Arabic speaker. He originates from the Dinka Toj in Bahr-al-Ghazal and is considered one of the most prominent young southern intellectuals in the south who have connections within the region.
(ST)