Upper Nile denies demanding former Sudan’s FM to leave

April 21, 2008 (MALAKAL) — Upper Nile state government denied press reports attributed to the state governor saying he had asked the former Sudanese foreign minister to leave the state and his presence was undesirable.

“The Government of Upper Nile State expresses regrets on media reports that have wrongly attributed a statement to the Governor of Upper Nile, H.E Major. General Gatluak Deng Gararng.” Said a statement issued Monday.

“Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin is a dear son of the State and one of the most beloved.” The Upper Nile government said.

Malakal authorities further indicated that Akol left the state voluntarily and was not forced by anyone nor ordered by the Security Forces to leave.

The Upper Nile government said there was “a normal dispute” between Lam Akol and Chief Peter Awyath who was accused by the first to have instigated the people of Penykang County against him.

On the night of the incident took the life of one of the police officers and wounded another, a team of investigators went into the house of the chief for purposes of questioning him.

The chief’s guard misconstrued the coming of the investigators as an arrest and immediately clashed violently with the police.

On March 23, the former Sudanese foreign minister and controversial southern politician had survived an assassination attempt that killed three of his assistants. Since he insists that the attack was premeditated and not the action of isolated bandits.

(ST)