Jonglei NCP minister defects to SPLM

By Philip Thon Aleu

December 21, 2009 (BOR) – Jonglei state’s National Congress Party minister has joined the southern Sudan ruling party, Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM).

Agot Alier Leek, the state minister for health, and state Member of Parliament Peter Mabor are not the first southern potential politicians defecting to SPLM ahead of near year’s general elections. However, all new SPLM members downplay seeking “positions”.

Mr. Agot Alier served as Governor of Jonglei before the signing of Comprehensive Peace Agreement prior (CPA) to taking up NCP 15% representation in southern leadership as stipulated at the state level by the 2005 peace deal. SPLM rules the semi-autonomous south with 70% of government and other southern political parties takes the remaining 15%.

As health minister, Mr. Agot is heading one of the challenging ministries in the state. In 2008, Agot came under fire – alongside other ministers, from state legislative assembly to answer questions on staffs’ payment. Two ministers were kicked out but Agot won a vote confidence in the SPLM dominated August House. This could have been a turning point, analysts say. But both the SPLM and Agot with his aides deny being persuaded to join SPLM.

Speaking at a tea party organized by SPLM state secretariat office and attended by Gov. Kuol Manyang Juuk who doubles as state SPLM chairperson and several political figures, Agot Alier says he leaves NCP because SPLM has a future for southerners.

Mr. Agot, a medical doctor, acknowledged that unity is vital in attaining progressive south.

On it part, SPLM congratulates health minister Agot Alier and MP Peter Mabor for “having arrived” to Sudanese liberation movement.

Bor County Commissioner, Maker Kuol Lual declared that his County is now “all SPLM” after receiving the most influential politician. Agot hails from Bor.

Deputy Gov. Hussein Mar Nyuot – a born from Uror County with Peter Mabor, says village chiefs having yearning for him (Peter Mabor) in SPLM to represent them in the next elections on SPLM ticket in the parliament. He says “the good one” has final decided to join SPLM.

In his congratulatory remarks, Gov. Kuol Manyang says SPLM need new members to keep the “flame burning”. He announced that all positions, his inclusive, are open to interested SPLM members for the next years’ election.

However, in an expected show of election season, South Sudan minister of commence, trade and supply Dr. Baranaba Marial Benjamin says SPLM may “allow Gov. Kuol to complete good work” he is doing in Jonglei that influences Southern Sudan for more time.

Though Mr. Marial’s statement attracted ululations like ‘SPLM Oyee, akuma betana Oyee (SPLM Oyee, our government Oyee)’ from over a thousand members gathered here to witness this Sunday’s event, it is required, by the SPLM, that a candidate must passed through ‘Electorate College’ before declared the party’s choice.

At this celebration, and to SPLM office in Bor, Christmas has come earlier. Over a week ago, a flock of southern political party (Southern Sudan Democratic Forum) led by state minister for parliamentary affair ceased it activities and joined SPLM. Over a month ago, NCP women group decided unanimously to change SPLM.

This political togetherness of Southern politicians is a little hope and democratic challenge to people on streets.

“If we (southerners) work together, we shall get our rights in [2010] elections and [2011] referendum,” a man identified as Jok Mach told the Sudan Tribune Monday.

“They [politicians] will exploit us because their task will be to protect party image,” a town dweller identified as James Dhuom responded when asked to commend on mass-flow of southern opposition parties to SPLM.

(ST)