SPLM launches official campaign in Rumbek

By Manyang Mayom

February 28, 2010 (RUMBEK) – The Lakes state Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) state secretary organized the official launching of their campaign to elect Engineer Chol Tong Mayay as governor.

Chol Tong Mayay had won the party’s nomination during an electoral primary held at Palm-tree hotel. He is confronted by three others parties’ candidates, from NCP, UDSF and ANC-Sudan.

Over 7000 of Lakes state attended the official launching on Saturday at Rumbek Freedom Square. the Lakes state caretaker Governor Telar Ring was among the official in the ceremony. However three South Sudan musicians were brought to perform in the event including female artiest Nyankol Mathiang, David Pacong Mading and Marial Awuok Til.

Speaking to thousands of supporters, the SPLM governor candidate said that he is still having pain due to cross-checking dead in Lakes from recent local conflicts.

“All our brothers and sisters, elderly people and children were lost during our struggle – the solution to compensate them is the promise that the SPLM had brought to New Sudan – to deliver nice services to people ever and ever and to take town to the people rather people to the town, as said by our late hero Dr. John Garang – if you all vote for me this random dying will definitely stop and development will take place as well police training which will take off without objection”, he told the crowd.

“I will work hard to make sure that traditional chiefs are given their salaries because chiefs had suffered a lot during our struggle and now they don’t have salaries, I will work hard for them so that they will get paid,” said Chol.

He described potential improvements in electrical power and hospitals as ways to compensate the society from the losses of the long civil war. He mentioned also improvements to water sources for both humans and cattle, which he postulated would reduce insecurity from conflict.

“Vote for me, vote for Yasir Saeed Arman who is contesting for the Republic of Sudan in Khartoum as well Salva Kiir Mayardit who is contesting for South Sudan presidency, if you confirm us in power, I believe that all your pain will be healed within a week time,” he promised.

He also added that if voted into power, SPLM would empower teachers with higher salaries, which he said they deserve because they are doing a great job.

Daniel Awet Akot, the outgoing governor, told SPLM supporters in Rumbek Freedom Square that all our skeletons are found everywhere in South Sudan, Darfur and Kassala: “vote SPLM candidates into power so that the mission and vision given to them during the struggle should get complete.” He also promise that 25% of top positions for women if all women would vote for SPLM party.

Lakes state caretaker governor Telar Ring Deng affirmed that his entire vote must go to the SPLM party. He warn all an independent candidates not to use any SPLM logo or chant for the name of SPLM as they carry out their campaign.

Ring affirmed that “I will protect you all – I will provide enough security to all parties’ candidates – protection is my responsibility and I will do it to give you equal protection”.

Furthermore, Cde Chol Tong Mayay had been frequently meeting with university students, disabled people’s groups and chiefs whose support he won.

(ST)