Bakosoro launches gubernatorial campaign, pledges security
February 26, 2010 (YAMBIO) — Western Equatoria Independent Candidate has launched his gubernatorial campaign with a speech in which he pledged to build a peaceful Western Equatoria.
Col Bakosoro is considered by many to be the “beacon of hope candidate with a realistic chance of winning.
He, along with Jemma Nunu Kumba, the incumbent governor, is leading the race for the gubernatorial contest for the 2010 vote.
Bakosoro unveiled his election symbol as a cock which he said, cockcrows at dawn to awake people likewise he wants to awake people of WES to Security, Education, development, peace, Unity, Freedom and transparency which are the main issues in his manifesto.
A large crowd of supporters braved the afternoon temperatures in Yambio, Illinois to watch Col Bakosoro make his speech.
Church leaders of Catholic Church and the Episcopal Church in Sudan join the mammoth’s crowd.
He spoke to the crowd of his working life in the state over the last 20 years, first as a church choir, then as a military officer and finally as a Public Servant in a party which disowned him few days ago.
He said it was the lessons learnt watching the daily struggles many faced that had ignited in him a desire for change, “our man”
As he made the speech the crowd cheered and chanted his name.
Local observers in Western Equatoria estimated the crowd to be over 20,000 supporters who converged to hear from they waited for long to have a glimpse of him.
“This is the man, this is the people’s choice, this is our governor; his supporters shouted”
People were wondering why there was no sign of any campaign so far all over the state, some people believe that most of the candidates were busy doing ground work through their agents and that is exactly what took place today in Yambio.
Before the campaign could kick off, there was an order from the NEC that any independent candidate should not use the flag which up to now is called the SPLM flag.
Bakosoro had to go to the Yambio FM to apologize for using the flag while a senior SPLM member already went to state judge so that he issue an arrest warrant to rest Mr. Bakosoro. The state Government under orders of Jemma Nunu banned Col Bakosoro from using the Southern Sudan flag saying, “It is the symbol of SPLM party”.
Bakosor’s supporters regretted the removal of the flags but the contender said he cannot keep them where they are.
Thousands of people turned up to see the man they have been waiting to see for so long. Old women, young girls, men of all ages walked all the way from Masiya to the freedom square and to Pazuo without being tired. More than 500 motorbikes, 30 cars and five 42 tone trucks took part in transporting people from various areas to the city centre.
Mr. Bakosoro thanked the traders for their contributions. He told the crowd who were in their thousands that as an independent candidate, he has no funds for his campaign and said the only funding is from his supporters who are mainly traders and even some government officials plus some individuals. He dismissed allegations that he is being funded by NCP or SPLM-DC.
Speaking to his supporters all the way from near by Nzara county, 15 miles, Li-Rangu Payam 12 Miles from Yambio town and small bomas around Yambio town, Bakosoro said “all people went, tried and have finally reached so now with them together, that is why I (he) has move from Juba as their call downplaying the threats of Political Bureau not to stand.
Bakosoro lamented that, he was born in church, grew in the church faith based family, and still a church person, with church characters for unity and love for the people.
Col Bakosoro says that, “The reason for my being independent is, in a party there is only one person who is selected to contest, but if it is not the choice of the people then they will also get their choice that is why you called me to stand for your rights, and I urge you to continue backing me as you remember the story of Jesus and peter when he was called to walk on the water, Bakosoro has not diverted from SPLM as sang today everywhere but CPA constitution say so.”
Col Bakosoro states that, the Political Bureau called on him to step down but, as people called and chose him, he is committed to stand because when 5 people say no and Millions say Yes Majority wins.
He is considering that his problem is citizens’ problem, to consider the future of their children, “it is your call if you make me fail, we shall all fail together and the future also will fail,” he said.
He pointed out that, “Election is not violence or hatred, but Love and peace just like a football match, one (…), therefore if Bakosoro fails, he has to go home, if he wins he deserves the trophy, and the entire WES will celebrate and enjoy the success.”
According to his Manifesto, he promised thousands of supporters that, the first priority is security which is the way towards development.
Farmers haven’t cultivated well in their own regions leading to poor and shortage of food in WES which used to be leading producer of food in Southern Sudan.
He appreciated the efforts laid by big business men in WES for their support, and promised to uplift business standards if elected and raise their standards.
Yambio and Nzara traders donated 7 motorcycles, 60 + cartoons of soft drinks, 3 drums of fuel apart from other counties to gear his campaign to the fullest.
He called upon his supporters to focus and forecast for 20-50 years ahead, “Bakosoro is for peace, transparency, we should not experience Kenyan Violence in WES, therefore no one should cause problem with any one unless you want [me] to fail.”
As a consequence, students were so happy when he talked of education and security reflecting to their harassment during the CPA, and urged him to win and secure them from all the sufferings and mistreatment they endure from the current WES government.
(ST)
Wal P Muoranyar Biet
Bakosoro launches gubernatorial campaign, pledges security
Go, go Bakosoro, go. You are son of Southern Sudan and you deserve any position in Southern Sudan’s leaderships. Independent or not independent, you are son of Southern Sudan! Long live Southern Sudan, long live democracy in Southern Sudan.
Wal Muoranyar Biet
Dinka Boy
Bakosoro launches gubernatorial campaign, pledges security
This Joseph Bakosoro make alot of noise that he will not even implement. LRA security, why is he making that loud noise for just simple case instead of him to aware people for the issues of 2011 election and then his aims. most of this independent candidates are money seekers and non- SPLM loyals so they should not used the SPLM flag.
babadit
Bakosoro launches gubernatorial campaign, pledges security
For long people of WES have been waiting to hear you talking so that they think of the different between you and Nunu, now that you have talked and heard, make no mistake in fulfulling the promises your making now during campaign,
Build no bridge where there is no water, the future will caurse you.
Other wise, wishing you a Successfull campaign
Time1
Bakosoro launches gubernatorial campaign, pledges security
In the end the choice belongs to the WES, if they choose the wrong person, they should not cry to anyone later but only blame themselves, let those making noise understand this message clearly, fight now but think of the future consequences.
Wether Nunu or Bakosoro or any other candidates win, as long as they put the interest of the people and the country first then they will deserve the governors seat.
Bakosoro should refrain from taking money from NCP/SPLM-DC agents, also Why did Bakosoro launch his campagn at the same time Omer bashir is launching his campaign in the south, i hope they are not working together with NCP.
Also any candidate who is from a registered party can use the south sudan flag, it is the national flag not a party flag, other candidates have used it before, SPLM has its election sign which is the blue tirangle in the flag with the yellow star.
But independents should run peaceful and respectful campaign, lets hope thier noise will be reflected in the lection results.
Thyinka
Bakosoro launches gubernatorial campaign, pledges security
These are really cheap tactics. If the flag belong to the SPLM then which flag belong to Southern Sudan? These SPLM is breaking Southern further because of the interest of some few individuals in power who do not want to give Southerners a chance to decide leaders of their choice but they will fail. It is better to play fair and win rather than win by hook or crook. SPLM which has been a champion of the people until now has been hijacked by few self-centered individuals whose aim is to stay in power no matter what.
Thyinka
Bakosoro launches gubernatorial campaign, pledges security
This SPLM is doing a disservice to the people of Southern Sudan by letting the flag of Southern Sudan be used by SPLM members only. A flag is one of the symbols of national unity alongside the presidency, the coat of arm, the national pledge and the national anthem. Unless SPLM wants to deny that Southern Sudan as an entity can be represented by a flag, this decision is going to backfire when people refuse to identify with the flag. In fact, this was a golden chance to popularize the flag as the symbol of national unity for all Southerners regardless of the party they belong to because it is the one that everybody fought under including the independent candidates.
There seem to be a lot of panicking coming from Western Equatoria and Northern Bhar el Ghazal recently with regard to the independent candidates. I would rather these incumbent governors of these two states quit their races if they can’t take the heat instead of being inundated with their dirty maneuvers and tarnishing of the SPLM image as the champions of democracy in Sudan.