Jonglei Governor seeks election on party ticket

By Philip Thon Aleu

January 3, 2010 (BOR) – Jonglei Gov. Kuol Manyang Juuk summits his application form on Saturday to Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) Electoral College for state gubernatorial position.

The SPLM Electorate College is composed of 25 members at States level. In Jonglei, the group is reflecting the six tribes, according to officials. The party’s Electorate College is responsible of releasing application forms to interested party’s candidates and receiving them back. Forms for Sudan federal parliament, state Governor, South Sudan and state assemblies’ are available here. Other forms include party list and women representation. The body also deals with creating awareness for elections and ensures that “power is given back to the people;” said Norah Zangabeyo, a supervisor for the SPLM Electorate College in Jonglei.

More persons, from SPLM, could be interested in the one post but they have to be first screened by their constituencies for members of parliament. In case the constituency failed to represent one candidate, the SPLM Electorate College then decides based on answers provided to questions on the application forms.

Norah says the party’s Electorate College will observe maximum code of conduct while nominating applicants for various posts. “There is no joke. The power is given back to the people,” she says.

For the post of state governorship, Gov. Kuol is not the only one seeking election on SPLM ticket. However, the Electorate College decline to release the name(s) of those who had collected application form(s) but promise to make applicants names public when the deadline extended to January 05, 2010 passed. Gov. Kuol, accompanied by over 500 supporters to SPLM office in Bor, says “I think I’m the favorite” for this election on SPLM ticket.

Gov. Kuol talked about unity, peace and development in the next five years once given a chance.

“We fought the war [of liberation] because of democracy and development in our region,” he told his supporters outside the office after dropping nomination form. The group responded by shouting “SPLM Oyee. Our strong Governor Oyee.”

Present where state ministers Taban Juch of information and Gabriel Gai Riam of parliamentary fairs who had just turned SPLM after dissolving his party. Bor Commissioner Maker Lual Kuol, Akobo County Commissioner Goi Jooyul Yool and various aspirants for parliamentary seats including Alier Ayom who is challenging South Sudan minister of Legal Affairs and Constitutionals Development Michael Makuei Lueth, in Bor north constituency, were also present to show support for Gov. Kuol.

Speaking on behave of supporters State Minister Gai Raim said “because Kuol have a vision for state unity and development. That is why we rallying behind him by uniting in SPLM.” A youth representative from Pochala said his county supports Gov. Kuol.

However Gov. Kuol said should the SPLM Electorate College nominate a different person rather him, “I will support that person because nobody is above the constitution. I also think that person will support me as well in case I win [party’s nomination].”

Sudan Tribune has seen signed nomination forms from seven Counties seconding Gov. Kuol’s election. The Counties are Uror, Nyirol, Bor, Duk, Twic East, Ayod and Pochala. Akobo says it’s supporting Gov. Kuol and the County is represented today by her leader Goi Jooyul. About 7,000 legible voters signed nomination forms which overflows the minimum 5,000 signatories required for governorship by SPLM Electorate College.

It is not yet clear whether there are other aspirants for the post of Governor from other political parties in Jonglei state.

As a State governor, Mr. Manyang calls for peaceful electoral processes including election later in April. Mr. Manyang was nominated by South Sudan President in December, 2007 replacing Philip Thon Leek.

SPLM CONTENDERS AND OVER COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Meanwhile, competition is steep among SPLM aspirants for parliamentary seats at South Sudan and State Assemblies. For a case study, the Sudan Tribune interview contenders for Bor north constituency where South Sudan minister of Legal Affairs and Constituency Development Michael Makuei Lueth hails. Mr. Makuei faces two challengers. One of the contenders, Alier Ayom Aluong, told the Sudan Tribune that he wants to end “personalization of [parliamentary] seat” and claims that the constituency supports his view. Bor north constituency encompasses Makuach and Bor Town.

“His Excellence the Minister [Makuei Lueth] says the seat belongs to him. This is not true,” Mr. Alier told the Sudan Tribune here on Friday in an exclusive interview.

“Makuach Payam has decided to support me….and this is public opinion,” he added. According to Alier, a dancing community members headed by five chiefs who witnessed summation of his application to SPLM Electorate College on Thursday “was a reflection of our popularity,” he said to acknowledge Chol Gai Arou who is challenging Maker Chol Adol from the same constituency for Jonglei state assembly’s seat on SPLM ticket.

As required by SPLM, aspirants must win community endorsement. In Bor north constituency, the row is tense. Both contenders say the community supports them.

After a series of meetings held in Bor County’s Makuach Payam were not materializing, a committee composed of other Payams citizens was formed to look into the SPLM nomination processes. Both meetings aim at convincing the aspirants to allow one. None seems to adhere willingly to these calls. However, the latest Bor Community Committee allows incumbent legislators but opponents say the community view is being ignored, hence, SPLM Electorate College to sort out.

“There SPLM has being with the people for so long. I think the SPLM [Electorate College] will do the right thing [since] the opinion of the public has being expressed,” Alier Ayom said when asked to comment on the Electorate College.

Alier Ayom Aluong and Majok Ayom Dor – both challenging Makuei Lueth has submitted their application forms to SPLM Electorate College in Bor. The SPLM Electorate College will, therefore, decide. Chol Gai Arou – who is contesting for parliamentary being currently held by Maker Chol Adol, has also submitted his form. But Makuei Lueth and Maker Chol have being cleared by a Bor Community committee– a group formed mid-way when discussion became edgy, as the right people for their current jobs – something opponents dismiss and describe as “element of differences.”

When asked why he advanced with his application to SPLM Electorate College when he is blocked by the Bor Community Committee, Alier says his people in Makuach and Bor Town Payams have endorsed him “but who is there to alter public opinion?”

“There is an element of politic difference and this is politic,” Alier added. He, however, calls for calm during this difficult time.

The former rebel SPLM rules the southern Sudan following the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005. Also all the members of the southern Sudan ruling party in the federal parliament, the semi-autonomous region and southern states assemblies were nominated by GoSS President. However, the CPA calls for election that now due this April as for the first time, people of Southern will vote their leaders.

(ST)