Jonglei political opponents table “key elections threats”

By Philip Thon Aleu

February 10, 2010 (BOR) – Members of various political parties contesting next April’s elections acknowledge that there are “threats of insecurity and anarchy” in Jonglei ahead of polls but those “will not be allowed.”

The UNMIS civil affairs and UNDP assisted a political parties roundtable, in Bor, which was attended by State Gov. Kuol Manyang Juuk, who is the SPLM candidate for the governorship, and all political parties’ legislative contenders. The one-day workshop aimed to explore how peace and security is to be maintained before, during and after elections.

The main facilitator, Mallick Ceesay, who is the head of United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) Civil Affairs coordination in Jonglei state highlighted election safety measures in areas of protection of polling stations without intimidation, violate, prior awareness of local people about elections and political tolerance.

Mr. Ceesay also told politicians, civilians’ organization and media that “free and fair elections are essential…part of democracy.” Drici Toruko and Nelson Bamson, officials from the UNMIS civil affairs office, also help to run first political opponents sitting in a country where rivals rarely share a hall.

Asked what challenges are to be addressed before official campaigns kick-off on Saturday, February 13, the participants topped the list with insecurity and poor roads that hinder transportation. Mobility of pastoralists, who are the main voters in Jonglei state, is yet another concern the National Election Commission (NEC) faces.

A question whether mobile cattle keepers will be allowed to vote wherever polling days get them remains in balance. NEC official Dr. Mum Kou Nhial says the State election body is weighting possibilities of having extra polls stations to cater for pastoralists who might not be in their constituency during election. Dr. Mum, however, calls on the various political contenders to assist NEC in gathering voters in required stations to avoid last minute disappointment.

The NEC Act does not allow voting outside the center of registration but Jonglei, inhabited mainly by pastoralists, is considering a different approach to take care of pasture-seekers who have temporarily moved beyond their own geographical constituencies.

Weak political organizations of parties contesting elections, fatal poverty in Jonglei that may harbor bribery during campaigns, illegal arms, poor road network, rains expected in April and politicians hungry for power are some threats tabled in the today Wednesday workshop in Freedom Hotel, Bor.

Delivering opening speeches earlier, Deputy Gov. Hussein Mar Nyuot and Gov. Kuol Manyang Juuk accept that “there are threats” but pledges to tackle them as government and citizens contesting for the elections, amicably.

Deputy Gov. Mar clearly put it that “there is an ongoing anarchy” in reference to formation of political parties and breakaway of SPLM (Sudan People’s Liberation Movement) candidates now contesting as independents in Jonglei state. Mr. Mar says it was better to accept the problems so that they dealt with rather than silence.

Gov. Kuol welcomed the international organizations round table because it gathers politicians in a Country “where politicians from different parties look themselves as enemies.”

Gov. Kuol says the Southern Sudanese will not afford another suffering caused by individuals’ interest particularly when one losses elections “because we had suffered enough.”

“In this State [Jonglei], nobody or a political party will be harassed,” Kuol says having noticed that his SPLM members are threats to safety of opponents adding “we are all citizens of this Country with different political programs. We shall campaign in line of political parties without attacking personalities.”

In the workshop, media and police, which are expected to be neutral bodies, came under warning to ensure that news reporting and guiding of polling stations do not disadvantaged any group. However, limited facilitation of both the media and the police leave little hope that a politically accepted coverage and protection could be extended respectively.

SSDF, UDF, SANU, USAP, USAP1, NCP and SPLM among other political parties attended the workshop. Each party was able to ask questions to NEC and government on ‘burning issues.’

(ST)