Jonglei’s independent governor candidate pledges a U-turn to SPLM
By Philip Thon Aleu
March 1, 2010 (BOR) – George Athor Deng, an independent contender for the Jonglei governorship, says he will return to SPLM once elected. Speaking to supporters during the launch of his campaign here on Monday, Mr. Athor rapped SPLM on the candidates’ selection process that had resulted in over 300 candidates in the south contesting independently.
Outlining his manifesto at Bor Town Freedom Square, Mr. Athor describes the deadly conflicts in Jonglei state throughout 2009 as a failure of the “elderly regime.”
“Work is divided; there are works elders can do and what youth can,” he says. “This work given to Kuol Manyang [SPLM candidate for April elections] does not belong to him. It needs George Athor, an energetic person because elders have failed to protect lives,” Mr. Athor added.
Athor statistics put 2009 death tolls at 3,000 people. A local organization says about 1,800 people only were killed in 2009.
Road construction, democracy, youth empowerment and employment and reforming SPLM are some other points Mr. Athor says people of Jonglei should vote him. He challenged state government on poor roads within the town describing the status as “sick.”
RETURN TO REFORMED SPLM
Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) candidate selection compelled discontented members to run as independents for April elections. Mr. Athor clarifies the move as “another liberation against undemocratic process that elimination choice of the majority”.
However, the independent hopeful says the SPLM decision to dismiss them is odd and that it adds weights on why SPLM needs to be reformed.
“I left the SPLA (Sudan People’s Liberation Army) to help in building a democratic SPLM,” he says. “Nobody have a power to dismiss anyone in the SPLM because we joined the SPLM/A, in 1983, to-date voluntarily.” “I am a SPLM member and I will return [after elections to] reform it,” he added.
The April polls are the first inclusive elections in the south since independence in 1956 and part of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed in 2005 between the NCP and the former southern rebels of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM). Political parties in Sudan nominated their candidates for April elections but SPLM dissatisfied members with party’s selection process are running as independents across Southern States casting doubts on SPLM super-victory during the polls.
Mr. Athor says he will unite the people of Jonglei State and assures return of safety within 11 months in office.
(ST)