W. Equatoria cabinet overturns State Assembly investigation on Students’ shooting
March 5, 2010 (YAMBIO) – The excessive use of force and live gun shots against innocent civilians after the celebration of the fifth anniversary of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in Yambio last January will get a new investigation hearing.
During an extra-ordinary meeting held on Tuesday March 2, the Council of Ministers of the Government of Western Equatoria State deliberated on the resolution of the State Legislative Assembly pertaining to the accidents which took place on 21 – 01 – 2010 involving the police, the army and students who participated in carnival show during the CPA celebration.
The State Legislative assembly had found guilty the commissioner of Police, Brigadier Said Abdel Lalifchol as the source of the incidents who over looked the state authorities, and passed an order to beat the innocent School Children.
Security forces in Western Equatoria were accused of use of power on the civilians arrogantly and gave false statement to the army that, the School pupils has defeated the Police and they are advancing to burn the County Headquarters and State Guest House where the Governor of WES is residing. He gave order calling the SPLA soldiers to beat and shot life bullet on pupils and civilians in Yambio town.
The Speaker of WESLA disclosed that, the house Came up with the below resolutions based on the facts from the security committee set to investigate the riots which took place after the CPA celebration.
1. The august house strongly condemned the inhuman act.
2. The august house demanded the immediate Discipline by WES Government, Demotion and transfer of the commissioner of the police from WES.
The Cabinet meeting Tuesday upheld security force’s condemnation on the mistakes by the security forces but overturned the assembly investigation result, ruling that errors occurred during the investigation phase by state Assembly.
In a press release signed by Col Joseph Ngere Paciko, Deputy Governor and Minister of Information and Communication acknowledges that the resolution of the Legislative Assembly to form the fact finding committee to investigate the incident was in place.
However, the extraordinary cabinet meeting stated that the findings of the committee which appeared in the resolution should have been brought first to the Government instead of taking it to the media for announcement.
The cabinet meeting deplored the decision of taking the resolution of the Assembly directly to media, as it gave the impression to the public that the Assembly had the final decision on the findings of its committee.
The cabinet meeting revealed that, immediately after the army crackdown the Governor of Western Equatoria State formed a properly balanced committee to investigate into the incident. The committee is headed by the legal Administrator and membership of other law enforcement agent and is still working.
The findings of the state assembly committee and the one formed by the Governor after thorough comparisons with whatever recommendations would now constitute the basis for final decisions.
“Let it be known by our communities that the first task of the Government is to protect them and therefore is ready to punish any of its official found guilt, but under legal and administrative procedure,” the statement promised.
The statement written careful appealed to WES citizens that on such matters there are strict procedures to be observed which in most cases involve more than one level of the government.
“We therefore want to assure our public that your government will remain always with you, for you, and by you.”
Since then, the accused Police Commissioner accused by the State Assembly has been reinstated by the caretaker governor, urging her supporters that, he is the only qualified to preserve good security in the state.
Analysts say the protection of Brigadier Saidy by the caretaker governor continue to raise eyebrows over the relation or communication the two had during the security forces gun battle with “innocent students.”
(ST)