Speaker denies working for any international organization
By Ngor Arol Garang
September 21, 2009 (MUGLAD) — Hon. Angelo Marach Thiik, the speaker of the Northern Bahr el Ghazal State Legislative Assembly, today denied working for any international organization included in the eleven charges against him by members last week
“Please get it from me that, I, Angelo Marach Thiik, have never worked for any international NGO as full time employee or consultant after appointed as speaker of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State assembly in 2005,” he affirmed by phone from Aweil.
He further said that these claims without evidence are disseminated by “foes whose intentions are to black mail and divert public attentions as part of their campaign against my leadership.” He further challenged the claiming authorities to substantiate their claims in the court.
However, he admitted having worked for CSI prior to his appointment as speaker.
Further the speaker denied having rented out any of the assembly halls as alleged in the eleven counts and charges presented against him by members last week saying all the eleven counts are baseless, black mailed and misleading allegations.
“I do not remember even single hour given to NGOs for rent,” he said acknowledging having allowed NGOS used the assembly premises free of charge.
Thiik, who returned to Aweil on Saturday from Juba, also accused the executive of being behind the fight he has repeatedly regarded as personal grudges without a genuine cause.
A week long battle between Speaker and members of the house also included State Governor Paul Malong as the person he earlier referred to as executive behind the heightened tension in the Assembly.
“I am officially accusing Governor Malong of being behind this tension because, he has in number of times tried to establish direct communications with members of the parliament on official matters without seeking my attention,” he said.
“The governor has several times called Hon. Akon Wol, Chairperson for gender and child welfare, Hon. Nafisa Ayak Abdurrahman among others and sent them to Juba on behave of the state assembly to meet GOSS President General Salva Kiir Mayardit without my consent,” he said adding that these MPs do not brief him after return from the visit.
He said saying it is unconstitutional and a clear violation for the principle of powers separation for a state governor to be involved in parliamentary affairs without seeking permission from speaker of the house.
He also challenged state governor to produce a document alleged to have originated from the GOSS President’s office advising Governor Malong to further advice him (Speaker) pay all the alleged funds and resign.
“I am a public figure representing my constituency, therefore anything involving me must be made public like my appointment,” he emphasized
The Speaker also called for independent committee to investigate and audit his two accounts with Nile Commercial and Ivory Banks.
He further reported that the house is contemplating on pressing his deputy to resign so that her seat is given to Aweil West County once resigned.
“They have started quarrelling over my seat and that of my deputy as well,” he adds.
GOVERNOR RESPONSE
Responding to Speaker by phone from Aweil, governor Malong said surprised to hear claims against him while trying his best to settle members-speaker conflict.
“I do not need this problem to be solved in the media; because even if we accept media, the problem will still come back to the house.”
“Therefore, it is better for Mr. Speaker to accept coming together with members so that the issue is settled once and for all when GOSS President visit the state next week,” he further said.
However, he declined to comment on GOSS presidential order saying he is working on peaceful and final solution adding media is not the alternative.
“We have many ways to settle such minor issues so that extension of further conflict is avoided.”
Governor also called on media to remain balanced, none bias, and neutral while reporting on the issue to avoid extension of rampant tribal conflicts in the southern States often orchestrated by tribal politicians to his state.
(ST)
Kur
Speaker denies working for any international organization
No smoke without fire.
Kur
maumau
Speaker denies working for any international organization
What is wrong if the speaker has two jobs! does that have to worry any body?. He might be working privately after office hours using his PC which is connected to the internet, some thing very common with administrative and business jobs in developed world. Leave him alone.
Maumau
maumau
Speaker denies working for any international organization
What is wrong if the speaker has two jobs! does that have to worry any body?. He might be working privately after office hours using his PC which is connected to the internet, some thing very common with administrative and business jobs in developed world. There is no need for the president come, make a follow up on the job of a the speaker of the state parliament. May be he should declare it open so that the state levy some tax on his income but he should be left alone alone.
Maumau
Bol Akoch Buoi
Speaker denies working for any international organization
That is what we South Sudanese good at, accusing one another. It is hard to distinguish personal hatred and the fact, the true and the false in this particular society. There is a mix between the traditional leadership aproach (African tyles) and Arab orieted leaders. We are in real mess. There will be always critical path for expected development and logical framework in South Sudan.