N. Bahr el-Ghazel assembly votes for speaker to go

By Ngor Arol Garang

October 5, 2009 (ABYEI) – Northern Bahr el Ghazal State (NBGS) Legislative Assembly toady passed for the third time a vote of no confidence against the Speaker of State Assembly, Hon. Angelo Marach Thiik with 34 votes in favor of the motion and 8 against.

The Northern Bahr el Ghazal State Assembly earlier last month passed twice a no confidence motion against its Speaker Mr. Thiik on eleven counts related to mismanagement of the state parliament budget, lack of consultation with the leadership of the ruling party and working with an international NGO in a clear violation to the state constitution.

However the CSI denied the accusation as the speaker dismissed the charges requesting an audit for his accounts.

Speaking from the assembly hall in Aweil town, where celebration sounds, mostly from women MPs of the winning group, after announcement of the results, could be heard on phone, Hon. Santino Deng Deng Maluil said they have finally closed the fight.

“You will never read and hear any report relating to this case emitting from this house till general elections are conducted again, he said adding he is gone. It is finished,” he adds.

Similarly, Sabrino Majok Majok, a senior government official in the state administration, who witnessed the event, added that the result was greeted by a long round of applause, stumping of feet and bunking of tables.

He continued to say that the State Legal advisor informed the assembly that a new Speaker would be elected tomorrow after consultations by SPLM members since the vacated seat belongs to them.

In another development, he stated that the state also witnessed a swearing in of a Deputy Governor and Minister for Local Government and Law Enforcement Agencies. It’s to be acknowledged that the Deputy Governor is a member of 25%.

“The double celebrations are ongoing and expected to last possibly until tomorrow or beyond, for the celebrations–especially the swearing in of Deputy Governor was attended by different women groups from NBGS, Western BGS, Warrap State,” he adds.

Majok who sounded overwhelmed by this event having attended in person also added that, undoubtedly, the swearing in of Deputy Governor this morning was historic in many aspects as this is the first time that a lady has ever held the same position.

“Congratulations to 25%,” he said, alluding to the SPLM policy that recognizes the role of women, and the 25% share for women in all levels of government in Southern Sudan.

However, both Hon. Garang Kon Kon, Chairperson for Security Committee and Hon. Deng Deng Wek, Chairperson for Legal Affairs including Ernew Dimo, Chairperson for Appointment Committee, responding to speaker’s third time impeachment, denied the conduct as free and fair saying these groups are implementing agents of a person masterminding a conflict between speaker and members.

“Majority of the members have been bribed by the executive while conservatives members were pressed with threats to be removed if remain persistent,” said Hon, Lual Gar.

He also denied that free and fair voting has taken place describing it as an exercise that allows equal participation of members. “All were persuaded and in addition to the fact that nobody supervised the conduct,” he adds.

(ST)