Kiir’s election team launches campaign in Rumbek
By Manyang Mayom
March 16, 2010 (RUMBEK) — The Lakes state campaign team for Sudan People’s Liberation Movement regional presidential candidate Salva Kiir Mayardit and national presidential candidate Yasir Arman officially launched the campaign in Rumbek on Sunday.
Comrade Gordon Maper Manyiel, the Lakes state coordinator for the presidential campaign team, organized the rally. State caretaker governor Telar Ring Deng and his deputy Lt-Col David Nok Marial joined the mass rally.
The public turned out for the event in Rumbek while businessmen shut their shops without orders from state police.
“On behalf of the presidential campaign team for the Presidency of Government South Sudan (GOSS), the National presidential candidate, and on my own behalf, I would like to pass my greeting to all of you — today we are launching the presidential campaign for H.E. Cde Salva Kiir Mayardit. We as coordinating team are given a privilege as well to campaign for Cde Yasir Arman for the presidential seat of the Republic of the Sudan and at the same time campaigning for Cde Chol Tong Mayay as SPLM candidate for Lakes State Governorship,” said Gordon in his keynote speech.
Maper affirmed that the GOSS incumbent presidential candidate will campaign in Rumbek as soon as possible. “He is going to tell you more about the progress done so far by his administration and also Kiir will talk on his future plan for South Sudan,” he said.
“Our SPLM candidate president Kiir has high confidence in you based on your commitment in the struggle and he therefore sends me and my team to manage his campaign in Lakes State, today we are launching his campaign here in Rumbek and this is just a beginning of our freedom exercise,” said Maper.
“The presidential candidate of GOSS is maintaining the same hope in you and I believed that you will maintain the same spirit you did during the war.”
“Comrade, your vote is not just a choice on the person you trust but a determination of the future of southern Sudan which is milestone. Therefore, the success of referendum in 2011 is at your hands and it depends on how you vote in this election. I urge you all to turnout no matter where you are and cast your vote wisely.”
Salva Kiir is running against Dr. Lam Akol, leader of the SPLM-Democratic Change. The national candidate, Yasir Arman, is running against sitting President Omar Al Bashir.
(ST)