Sudan’s SPLM reinstates two former officials

September 1, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement has officially reinstated the membership of two former ministers who had been revoked from the party and their ministerial positions in December 2007.

SPLM chairman Salva Kiir Mayadrit on December 1, 2007 had issued a decision to relieve Telar Deng and Aleu Ayieny from the membership of the SPLM’s political bureau and the national assembly as well as the SPLM’s membership in general. Salva Kiir pointed out that the resolution aimed at protecting and maintaining the solidarity of the SPLM as an entity.

Mr. Telar Ring Deng the former state minister at the Sudanese presidency, and Aleu Ayieny Aleu, the former state minister of interior had been sacked on the grounds of a report by an investigation committee to probe Telar’s statements in which he accused some SPLM members of plotting to topple Salva Kiir and Ayieny’s repeated statements in which he accused the Ugandan government of being complicit in the death of the SPLM’s former leader, John Garang.

In to two letters dated on August 29 obtained by Sudan Tribune, SPLM Secretary General, Pagan Amum, informed the Ayien and Telar of their reinstatement “as a full member into the rank and file of the SPLM as of 17th April 2009.”

Pagan said the SPLM Political Bureau, in a meeting held on 15-17 April this year discussed their applications to be readmitted into the movement and resolved to reinstate them “with full membership rights and duties as stipulated in SPLM constitution.”

“We welcome you back to the SPLM that you have served with commitment and sacrifice during the twenty-one years of our struggle,” further said Amum.

The dismissal of the two SPLM officials, who once used to be Kiir’s friends, at the time raised speculations and allegations inside the movement.

However, the reasons for their removal were different as Telar had been very influential and to some extend succeeded to isolate the First-Vice from the party, and imposed a policy of dealing only with southern affairs. It was said also that he had wanted to replace Amuom as the SPLM Secretary General.

While Aleu created an atmosphere of confusion and dilemma in the public opinion, when he repeated calls for the need to reopen the investigation over Garang death. The former state minister had been member on the national committee to investigate the chopper crash.

(ST)