Sudan’s Bashir denies removal of General Gatluak from gubernatorial position
November 29, 2009 (JUBA) – The Sudanese president Omer Hassan Ahmed El Bashir, denied having endorsed the removal of General Gatluak Deng Garang from gubernatorial position in Upper Nile State.
This appeared following a petition written and sent by group of Upper Nile elders and intellectuals to President Bashir urging him to reverse the order if he needs the support of the Upper Nile during elections and beyond.
The letter was reportedly given to Bashir by Riek on Monday November 23rd, vowing support of greater Upper Nile as region to Bashir in the upcoming presidential elections.
The letter also outlined developmental projects initiated by governor Deng calling on Bashir to allow him more time for implementation.
In a state council of ministers meeting on Friday, the governor who was seen dressed in military uniform, said he will not oppose his removal if it is made through presidential decree.
“If it is official, I think most of you know me, I will be the first to congratulate and facilitate handing and taking over of the office by my replacement,” he said.
“People have rushed in to accuse me of having defied presidential order by not allowing Dr. William take the office, please let me make it clear that I have not refused but need clear instruction,” he commented.
The governor also said that he has spoken with both First Vice President General Salva Kiir and President Bashir but neither informed him of any such order.
“Please let us forget about it and treat it as rumor because there have been similar reports in the past,” he said. He also reiterated his commitment to implementing developmental projects in the state.
Later it was revealed that South Sudan Vice President Riek Machar convinced Major General Gatluak Deng Garang to step down and hand over the office to his deputy in the interim while the new governor is in transit.
Machar speaking in Bentiu where he went to register as a voter expressed appreciation the decision of handing over by the former governor.
Major General Gatluak Deng was removed from governorship about two weeks ago by the Government of Southern Sudan’s Presidential Decree. He is a general in the Sudanese army in from the same paratroopers division as president Bashir.
In accordance with the provision in the power sharing protocol in the 2005’s Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), Upper Nile state’s governor has always been a nominee of the National Congress Party (NCP).
(ST)