Sudan: Lam Akol reportedly to be replaced as foreign minister
Sudan: Lam Akol reportedly to be replaced as foreign minister
BBC Monitoring Service – United Kingdom
Published: Sep 17, 2006
Text of report by Sudanese newspaper Alwan on 17 September
Close sources have told Alwan newspaper that it is practically confirmed that the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement [SPLM] will, on 24 September, announce a reshuffle of its members with ministerial posts in the federal and southern Sudan governments.
The sources said the SPLM reshuffle would be announced after its institutions approved the appointment of Deng Alor as minister of foreign affairs, Abd-al-Aziz al-Hilu as minister for higher education and Nhial Deng as minister of cabinet affairs.
According to the sources the reshuffle will include the appointment of governors to Northern Bahr al-Ghazal, Jonglei, Warap and Western Equatoria States. The sources said the reshuffles were necessary for the next phase in order to tip the balance back in favour of the SPLM’s line, programme and declared positions.
Source: Alwan, Khartoum, in Arabic 17 Sep 06
Sudanese foreign minister faulted for opposing UN intervention in Darfur
BBC Monitoring Service – United Kingdom
Published: Sep 17, 2006
Text of commentary titled “Does Dr Akol keep to the rules, policies of his party?” by Omuno M Otto, in English by Sudanese newspaper Khartoum Monitor on 17 September
Ah my brother Lam Akol! Which way are you tracking? You struggled against injustice and oppression through hardships, militarily, haven’t you?
But have you been showing to the people that you are working against injustice and oppression even in GoNU [Government of National Unity] ?
“Nahnu rafadna dukhul al-quwat al dawliyah fi Darfur,” was what you said. Translated into English this means: “We have rejected the deployment of international forces in Darfur.”
You should have said: “I personally accepted the UN international forces in Darfur but of my partner in the government, the National Congress Party (NCP), is not willing to accept it.”
This would have been in order, since you boss, the First Vice president, Lt-Gen Salva Kiir, who was the one who nominated you for the foreign affairs ministry in the first place, has himself said yes to a UN peace-keeping force in Darfur.
Please, please Dr Akol, some human dignity is better.
Source: Khartoum Monitor, Khartoum, in English 17 Sep 06