Salva Kiir in Rumbek to inspect securit situation, resolve govt row

By Manyang Mayom

July 12, 2006 (RUMBEK) — The First Vice President and President of the Government of South Sudan (GOSS) Lt Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit visited Rumbek on Tuesday 11 July to inspect security situation and to resolve a political crisis between SPLM and NCP minister in the region.

Salva Kiir arrived among tightened security measures to Rumbek where local authorities cancelled many festivities and a public meeting with the Sudanese First Vice president.

The Government of Lakes State had informed the public of Rumbek about Salva Kiir arrival and the rally will be organized for morning of Tuesday 11 July. In his arrival there is no single speech made by him and everybody was standing by for orders and executions to take place, Sudan Tribune correspondent reported.

During the first week of July, six people are killed and three others wounded in Rumbek East County during the past three days also hostilities broke out between two Agar Dinka. The insecurity in the town led the UN agencies to stop activities in the area.

Kiir also held a meeting with the State government to resolve the resignation of Lakes State minister of Col Khamis Abdulatif who resigned from ministry on 30 June 2006 after a difference with the State cabinet.

Kiir directed the ruling SPLM in the state to not accept the resignation of the minister of the National Congress Party (NCP) in the Lakes. He retreated his commitment to the strategic partnership between the NCP to achieve the CPA implementation.

Abdulatif had resigned from his ministry for misunderstanding between him and the cabinet of Lakes. He indicated that his plans and projects for the rehabilitation of the agricultural projects in the region were ignored.

(ST)