Jonglei ex-minister says was impeached on “incorrect” findings

By Thon Philip Aleu

June 16, 2009 (BOR TOWN) – Jonglei former minister of Education, Science and Technology says Monday his impeachment by the State Assembly last year was mistakenly reached because the parliamentary committee represented “incorrect document.”

John Antipas Ayiei, who is reappointed as Governor’s Advisor on health and environmental affairs, made the remarks in an exclusive interview with the Sudan Tribune in Bor Town on June 15.

A controversial 6-month delay payment for teachers of Alternative Education System (AES) prompted the Assembly to summon and subsequently ousted John Antipas Ayiei on allegation of unconstitutional diversion of funds, something he strongly denied.

“What was stated as a fact finding [by the Assembly Committee] was totally disputed by the Director General because there was a lot of contradictions….but with the democracy of voting, the document was discussed incorrect,” he said referring to the representation made to the Assembly by a committee that investigated senior officials of his then ministry.

Hours after the legislators voted 19 by 17 to discuss the ‘incorrect’ document amidst protest from Ayiei and his Directors citing misquotation, a vote of no confidence. In accordance to the State constitution, Governor Kuol Manyang relieved John Ayiei and Agriculture ex-minister Bair Deng Bair but swapped positions for the latter in the State government early June, 2009.

A fact finding committee headed by Hon. Nyang Chuol, a former deputy Governor, told the assembly in August, 2008, according to Ayiei, that Directors in the ministry of Education said funds meant for Alternative Education System were diverted for unknown propose. But Ayiei said he is not surprised by Hon. Nyang Chuol’s report.

“Unfortunately, when was a deputy Governor, I was a chairman of a committee investigating him,” he said. The committee reports also enabled removal of Hon. Nyang.

But what happened with Alterative Education System funds?

Alternative Education System (AES), a policy of the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS), aims at reducing high illiteracy rate among adult to 50% by 2011 was introduced shortly following the establishment of semi-autonomous governance in 2005 – in accordance to the CPA (Comprehensive Peace Agreement). The high rate of illiteracy, estimated at 85% in the under-developed south surged during the two decades war in the country.

Ayiei says AES was directly funded by the GoSS in 2007 but 2008 became a turning point. A directive from GoSS Education Ministry in 2008, Ayiei claims, ordered Jonglei State Education Ministry to release 256,000 Sudanese Pounds (SDG) monthly for AES teachers’ incentives without increment in the overall budget. 81 primary schools should have been closed; Ayiei says if 256, 000 SDG was released for AES.

“It was not fair to close down 81 schools [in favor of AES],” he said. “I never diverted this money into my own pocket. It was used to pay 810 teachers….for 81 schools.” But the assembly did not understand that, Ayiei said, consultations with GoSS for more funds were underway but went ahead and passed vote of no confidence.

The Assembly “stated well” that funds meant for AES has been diverted but not for unknown purpose “though I have some observation” but went to the media and said different things, Ayiei says.

DEATH THREAT

Following local media reports that Mr. Ayiei was ousted by the Assembly on corruption allegations, a farewell party for the ex-minister became a wrestling theater on June 6, 2009 when the Speaker Jodi Boyoris surprisingly appeared as a guest.

Isaac Makuac, the chairperson of information and communication in the State Assembly told reporters last Friday that the John Ayiei attempted to kill the speaker and thus, “he is a threat to the parliament.” Ayiei dismissed being a security concern to the Assembly but said he was acting in his capacity to halt the party.

“He defamed me in the media…and is coming to farewell me! How come….and that is why I told the Deputy Governor (the guest of honor then) to stop the party,” he said adding that “it was my party and have the right to end it. Wedding cannot be done without the bridegroom.” The happiness I want to show cannot be possible, he said, with Jodi Jonglei [Boyoris] attending and I decided to leave the party asked the audience to close it. There was no threat to kill anyone, he stressed. Mr. Ayiei says he met Jodi Boyoris in many public occasions but never threaten him (Speaker) because “we can meet somewhere but in not my party.”

John Matien Kuol is the new minister of Education.

Following the lengthy interview with ex-minister John Ayiei, Sudan Tribune is to publish the challenges ahead in the coming days.

(ST)