SPLM’s Bakosoro reiterates his stand as Independent Candidate

By Richard Ruati

January 31, 2010 (YAMBIO) – Joseph Bakosoro has reiterating his stand as Independent Candidate for the governorship contest in Western Equatoria a stand that has been consistent from the beginning.

Colonel Bakosoro who works at the SPLM Secretariat in Juba is the third figure to come out publicly expressing intention to stand in the upcoming April election as independent candidate after government of Southern Sudan’s presidential advisor, Alfred Ladu Gore and Angelina Teny for Unity State.

“The citizens of Western Equatoria have called upon me to lead them during this critical time leading to referendum, and I have no option to that, I am determined to respect their calls to unseat the current government in W. Equatoria,” says Bakosoro.

Bakosoro pointed out that, “the SPLM leadership is aware of the plea and yearn for change in Western Equatoria, but it decided to turn down the will of the people.”

He said that If SPLM leadership forces him to resign from the party, he will submit temporary resignation letter, pending victory in the next upcoming elections.

He further appealed to the SPLM leadership to respect the will of the people, adding that, “it is only the people of WES who can stop [me] for standing for them.”

“The people of Western Equatoria have the right to choose not to be imposed on with leaders,” said a community leader in Mundri.

The WES people, like the people of other states close to them, are embracing a democratic future, even in the face of threats and intimidation. Throughout the State, WES men and women are hoping to vote, Independent candidate for WES’s top job.

Back in the villages, there is an air of enthusiasm and of expectant victory among the supporters of Bakosoro. And there is an air of grim determination about Bakosoro’s personality and manner of utterance that resonates with WES households.

Observers say, every point he makes and cause hearers to rise again and again to their feet and roar back their applause and approval of his stand as an Independent.

Across Southern Sudan, independent candidates are multiplying every day prior to April polls, mainly from the reneged SPLM members who feel dissatisfied with the SPLM politburo decisions.

Analysts say, Independent candidates stand better chance of winning the next elections as they are the choice of the people.

Unconfirmed reports say that SPLM leadership is set to approach Independent candidates to back down, a call which some independents have bravely said no.

(ST)