South Sudan Caretaker ministers take oath of office

By James Gatdet Dak

March 5, 2010 (JUBA) – The re-appointed 21 Caretaker ministers of the Government of Southern Sudan were sworn in on Friday by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Southern Sudan before the President, Salva Kiir Mayardit and the Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar Teny.

Three other relieved ministers could not be re-appointed as Caretakers in Juba because they contest in their respective states for the position of governor at that level of government.

In his congratulatory remarks to the sworn in Caretakers, President Kiir told them to effectively contribute to the creation and promotion of conducive environment for conduct of a free and fair general election scheduled for 11th April.

He said justice must be done to others as well in order to achieve free and fair conduct of elections.

“If we don’t do justice to others then why do we cry that others do not do justice to us?” he asked.

Kiir assured that the elections must be conducted despite contradicting voices from some political parties in the North which call for its postponement. He warned that this would push back the date for conduct of the referendum in the South.

He assured that the referendum must be conducted in January 2011 and by an elected parliament in the South.

The incumbent President of the semi-autonomous region and presidential candidate for the ruling party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) urged all the Southern Sudan political parties to have a unified voice as the region heads towards referendum.

In his remarks during the swearing in ceremony, the Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, also congratulated the ministers for maintaining their positions as Caretakers, warning them that the government was passing through very serious stage of political development, the elections, in the country.

He stressed the importance of conducting a free and fair election throughout the region.

He reminded them that the whole world is generally concerned about Southern Sudan, adding the government needs to prove wrong those who think the South would be a failed system. He reminded the ministers of their being key to the process.

He further explained that the recently signed elections Code of Conduct in Juba by the Southern Sudan political parties under the auspices of the African Union panel was a big achievement which should be implemented.

President Kiir also told the Caretaker ministers to implement accordingly the Order he issued on Wednesday for guidelines that tell them what they may do and not do as Caretakers until the next government is formed based on the outcome of the elections.

(ST)