Former governor supports independent candidates

By Ngor Arol Garang

February 14, 2010 (KHARTOUM) – A former governor, Joseph Mareng Akuei Ajou voiced his support to the leader of independent candidates in Northern Bahr el Ghazal saying peaceful transfer of power through choice of the majority has always been a desire of Mading Aweil people.

The former governor who had been unilaterally removed by presidential decree despite his popularity, explained democracy serve as platform that enable ordinary people choose government of their choice.

Joseph announced today his support to an independent candidate for North Bahr el Ghazal governor, saying public office is not held for life. “I called on all citizens of Northern Bahr el Ghazal and SPLM leadership to support General Dau and his group to win upcoming elections,” he said.

“This is because this position of governor as I have said earlier belongs to people of Northern Bahr el Ghazal state and not individuals,” he said, adding “let us all support him (General Dau) to win this election and Malong must come here to stay with us in Juba”.

Incumbent governor Malong Awan lobbied for the removal of Joseph Mareng Akuei who was the first post CPA governor replacing Garang Deng Aguer.

Garang is a business man and runs successful business projects in the regional capital of Juba now. He owns many bars and commercial hotels including Home and Away which host most of the SPLM political bureau sittings.

Governor Mareng was removed after allegations that he was too close to the NCP through former deputy prime minister Aldo Ajou Deng Akuey who served with NCP as head of the human right committee in the National Assembly from 2005 to 2007 when he decided to cross to the SPLM after return from Canada.

Both Ajou and Mareng are relatives but their supports are divided onto current gubernatorial contenders with Aldo Ajou supporting incumbent governor Malong Awan while Joseph Mareng supports General Dau.

However, many observers criticized incumbent governor for accepting Aldo Ajou to serve as private advisor and influential figure in all gubernatorial decisions that are made and taken by him including cabinet and local government appointments. They question legitimacy of allowing Aldo who was source of removal of former governor Mareng becomes illegal advisor.

General Dau also gets support from ex-governor Madut Biar Yel, who serves as minister of telecommunications and post services in the government of South Sudan.

Supports of the incumbent governor are limited to members of his administration and their relatives making him susceptible to loosing upcoming elections to General Dau who gets supports from a composite group of people seeking change through election.

(ST)