Lomuro unanimously re-elected president of SSDF party
By Isaac Vuni
April 26, 2009 (JUBA) — The second national convention of South Sudan Democratic Forum (SSDF) today unanimously confirmed Dr. Martin Elias Lomuro as party president for a five year term of office.
The convention also confirmed 150 representative members from eleven states to assist the party president in discharging day-to-day activities of the party.
In his acceptance of responsibility bestowed upon him, Dr. Lomuro thanked all delegates and urged them to work hard for uniting southerners by embracing forgiveness and reconciliation within their respective states. The re-elected chairman promised never to let down his supporters yearning for good governance accountability, transparency, introduction and implementation in Sudan. He urged every member to be peace agents within their respective communities and never to give up despite interferences from some states’ commissioners or executive directors while carrying out national duties.
Then Lomuro dissolved the executive organ of the party, saying they ought to seek fresh elections but until then must nevertheless meet daily with the party president.
The convention was held under theme:“To be a nation we must be united, to be united we must espouse equality and freedom to all our people regardless of their clan, gender, region, religion or political affiliation.”
Delegates were drawn from eleven states including Khartoum representing northern states. SSDF is sometimes regarded as the third strongest party of southern Sudan.
The convention had earlier passed a party constitution, rules and logo presented by Dr. Mayomo Kouc Malek.
The women and youth league, marred with apparent confusion, quarreled when asked to elect their representatives from Greater Equatoria, Bahr el Ghazal and Upper Nile.
In another development, a source speaking by phone from Torit revealed that the extraordinary SPLM Political Bureau held in Juba recently has recommended reshuffling the states’ governors and cabinets of Eastern Equatoria, Western Equatoria and Unity in order to boost and popularize morale of southerners after their governors faced resistance at the national party convection election in May of last year.
Contacted Sunday, General Isaac Obuto Mamur Mete, a prominent figure in the SPLA who in December was released over a year in detention, may have implied interest in becoming state governor.
Asked whether he would accept an offer for the position, General Mamur said the state is being governed by sons of the areas but what is important is provision of security to enable people to concentrate on reconstruction and development of war-torn south Sudan.
(ST)