Kiir appeals to citizens of Central Equatoria to vote for him
March 21, 2010 (JUBA) – Salva Kiir Mayardit, the Southern Sudan’s presidential candidate on the ticket of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), has called on the citizens of Central Equatoria state to vote for him during the upcoming elections.
Kiir’s former presidential advisor on Diplomatic Affairs, Lt. General Afred Ladu Gore, tops the list of independent candidates in Central Equatoria state. Gore independently contests for the post of governor against the incumbent caretaker governor and official SPLM candidate, Major General Clement Wani Konga.
He defended the decision to disown over 300 independent candidates who were formerly SPLM officials, saying it was not his unilateral decision but a collective one reached by the party’s Political Bureau in Juba.
Seven independent former SPLM officials are contesting for governorship positions in their respective states while hundreds of others are contesting for various parliamentary seats at national, Southern Sudan and states assemblies.
All the six states of Greater Equatoria and Greater Upper Nile regions have independent candidates contesting for governorship positions in addition to one state in Greater Bahr el Ghazal, Northern Bahr el Ghazal state, making seven out of ten the states which have independent candidates for the position.
All the ten states have parliamentary independent candidates contesting at different levels.
Kiir added that people were speculating to vote for Dr. Lam Akol, the leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement for Democratic Change (SPLM-DC). He however assured that even if he would lose Central Equatoria state, he would still win the elections.
“Even if Dr. Lam Akol beats me in Central Equatoria state, I will still beat him in other states, don’t forget that,” he told the huge crowd.
He however assured that he would also win the votes from the state and called on the “loyal” SPLM members to vote for all official party candidates at all levels.
Kiir also acquainted the crowd with the differences between the flags of SPLM and SPLM-DC that are being used during the campaigns. He also told the citizens to be vigilant about intruders who want to substitute their voting slips with fake ones that would not be accepted during the voting.
The SPLM chairman also carried out his campaign in Kajo-Keji County in Central Equatoria state, Nimule, Torit and Kapoeta in Eastern Equatoria state where he always assured the citizens of the SPLM’s determination to take the people of Southern Sudan to the referendum.
He repeatedly declared Dr. Riek Machar Teny as his “running mate” in every rally he delivered speech to, confirming that he would be his Vice President in the next government if he will be elected, or else fall with him.
“If I will be elected, Dr. Riek Machar will be my deputy in the next government and if I lose the elections we will lose it together,” he said. “If you don’t elect me and make me to fall, I will also fall on his [Machar] head,” he jokingly continued.
Dr. Riek Machar also urged the citizens to vote for his chairman and president, Salva Kiir, saying the citizens had already seen his achievements for the last five years and he would therefore continue building on such achievements.
April 11 general elections are only 20 days away and will be the first elections with wide participation across the country since 1986.
There are however voices from the main northern opposition political parties and the observer US-based Carter Center, citing concern over general unsuccessful preparations for the elections and calling for the delay of the exercise.
IGAD’s recent summit in Nairobi, Kenya, and Egyptian government had suggested that both elections and referendum be delayed. Eritrean President, Isayas Afworki, also advised that elections be postponed and priority be given to the conduct of referendum in the South after which the elections could be conducted at a later date either in a confirmed united Sudan or separately in two different countries.
The dominant National Congress Party (NCP) has rejected any delay to the elections while the SPLM’s chairman, Salva Kiir Mayardit, in his response during the IGAD summit warned that if there were to be any delay to the elections the decision would be made in a way that would not affect the conduct of the referendum in January 2011.
The people of Southern Sudan give more importance to referendum than to the elections and are ready to defend it [referendum] at any cost, he said.
(ST)
Dinka Boy
Kiir appeals to citizens of Central Equatoria to vote for him
South Sudan will vote for Salva Kiir to us for independent South in 2011. And South Sudanese will vote for Yasir Arman as well to take us to 2011 election.Salva Kiir should go to any state with alot of milita mentality;for example, Bentiu. That is were they will feel shame. Shame on militia mentality state.
Greater Equatoria
Kiir appeals to citizens of Central Equatoria to vote for him
Haha!
Kiir is shivering now. You created the mess yourself,by practicing corruption,tribalism, and poor political bearue selections.Now why do you shiver,if you think you are strong?? You have been cheating the innocent civilians,now its their turn to talk.This is still Lam Akol,what if you could be faced by some one from Central Equatoria? By the way,Lam Akol is likely going to win this April election.Those who are still dreaming,thinking it is a joke,they will laugh with tears when the result will turn against them.
Hillary B.M.L,M
Kiir appeals to citizens of Central Equatoria to vote for him
For me as the Son of Equatoria i don’t mind whether greedy Kirr or Wolf Akon could be President. What bother me is, Clement should be out and be punish properly by Equatorians. We don’t like him, even his Son when i chatted with him he admitted some mistakes of his Father.
Hillary now in Khartoum
Waidethuok
Kiir appeals to citizens of Central Equatoria to vote for him
Candidate Kiir on the ticket of SPLM, Very good that you feels the reaction of the citizen. You and your your political bureau acted blindly not considering the choice of people, every action you do, expect a reaction force. Blame your office and loyalist and not the people of CES. Had their choice was respected, who can not vote for SPLM.
SPLM has brought some changes and development but if there is a certain group that think to be owning the SPLM they must be taught that every one has participated in the struggle which brought the freedom they are enjoying.
Time1
Kiir appeals to citizens of Central Equatoria to vote for him
All southerners should vote for Kirr, he is the right man to complete the mission. There is no garantee with Lam Akol, also Kirr knows what the southerners want, he is also pushing for more development, change and reform.
R. TOOL
Kiir appeals to citizens of Central Equatoria to vote for him
Southern intellects,
I am using this word “intellects” very loosely. Something as gone extremely wrong with you people. Many countries around the world are trying to help you in your struggle with (Arabs) north. It’s very disheartening to read your comments.
90% of your writing translate to this : Impolite, discourteous, uncivilized, savage, unskilled, lacking polish intelligent, undeveloped, primitive, lacking education and finally, unskilled. You people need show to respect to each other, no need for name calling what so ever. Some of you are so vicious, in attacking each other personally. If you have nothing to good to contribute to the struggle of the south and to this board, please keep it to yourself. Or if you have no knowledge on politics, then get a real job that will benefits you country and yourself, and quit wasting time of others. Again, 90% of comments on this board are useless and they make no senses.