CSI denies hiring Northern Bahr el Ghazal Speaker

By Ngor Arol Garang

September 27, 2009 (ABYEI) — The America- Canada based Christian Solidarity International Organization (CSI) today has denied recruiting Northern Bahr el Ghazal speaker to manage its activities in the region.

CSI’s reaction come after claims by state MPs, who passed a no confidence motion against Hon. Angelo Marach Thiik accusing him of being paid by the group in clear violation of his constitutional obligations as speaker. The legislators also charged him with other ten counts.

Thiik, who brushed off the accusations, admitted he had worked for the international nongovernmental organization prior to his appointment as speaker.

“Angelo is no longer our employed staff. He neither works for us as permanent employee nor consultant; he left us long prior to his appointment as speaker,” said CSI Chief Executive Officer, Dr. John Eibner who referred to a report published by Sudan Tribune on September 21.

Eibner, in an email received by Sudan Tribune disputed claims by state lawmakers as not correct. However, he confirmed that Angelo Marac worked for CSI before appointed as speaker in 2005.

“Angelo worked with us during the late civil war, which ended in 2005;” he said adding “many citizen of Northern Bahr El Ghazal State will recall the service he provided to the Aweil community through CSI.”

“Who does not know the patriotic services provided by Angelo Marac during pre-2005 epoch of severe devastation and suffering, including the enslavement of women and children in the region,” he posed.

During their vote on September 13, the MPs said determined to relieve the speaker from his position enumerating several charges of mismanagement of the state parliament budget.

Hon. Majang Ngor Kuany, a state MP said they failed in the past to settle their differences with the speaker but instead of reaching a compromise with them, he “tries his best to add more salt into the injuries.”

However the speaker today called upon members and state authorities to “honestly and properly” examine the cause of recent mayhem in the assembly.

“I am not saying their complaints are not genuine, they may be right but should provide proves of having embezzled their funds,” he said.

The Speaker further reaffirmed his innocence saying all entitlements have been appropriately spent by those entitled without my involvement.

He also reiterated call for formation of independent committee to thoroughly investigate and audit his two accounts with Nile commercial and Ivory Banks. “The same or different independent committee should also investigate and audit assembly account,” he said.

The speaker who sounded confident challenged legislators to produce evidence that supports their allegations.

“It is one thing to file such a high profile case against a public figure like me but it is equally important to support such sensitive claims to win the case in the court of law if one thinks has a point to score,” he adds.

Hon. Thiik, who provided Sudan Tribune with the details of his budget expenditures, said a comprehensive report is available for any challenge by the MPs. “This is pure administration consumption, no private business to my side,” he added.

(ST)