Jonglei candidates for governorship surge last minutes campaigns

By Philip Thon Aleu

April 5, 2010 (BOR) – With only days to officially end election campaigns for April 11 – 13 polls, three contenders for the post of Jonglei governor double daily rallies. From late starting campaigns rallies to once in a week, political meeting held more two times a day by various candidates.

The expectations from voters are high because life is hard there where they are.
In the areas visited by Sudan Tribune last week — in a tour to cover campaigns
voting education and security during and after polling days — most
children spend most of their time fishing than attending schools in
counties at the bank of Nile River.

Altogether, the three hopefuls for governorship; SPLM nominee Kuol
Manyang Juuk, SPLM-turned-independent George Athor Deng and NCP’s
Joseph Duer Jakok are heading to make history by being the first
democratically elected leader of South Sudan’s vast-populous State of
Jonglei.

Mr. Kuol started campaigning last week in Uror and Nyirol counties
organizing over 10 rallies in three days there. The SPLM meetings
targeted locations where election rivals appeared to have gained
support. Kuol then moved to Ayod County and is expected to campaign in
Duk, Twic East and finally Bor counties before Friday April 9, 2010
the official closing day of electoral rallies.

In Uror, Ayod, Duk and Nyirol, Mr. George Athor had campaigned earlier
but the SPLM thinks its campaign “will be able to reverse that foul belief as the
SPLM is hoping for a favorable lead in the elections there,” stressed Buoth
Chuol Nyot, the Jonglei SPLM general secretary in statements to Sudan Tribune
in Ayod on Saturday.

Joseph Duer of the National Congress Party (NCP) stayed for nearly two
weeks in Ayod County before the SPLM step in for elections campaign.
Having campaigned and confident of good support there Mr. Duer heads to Pigi
and Fangak counties on Friday.

The NCP candidate, whose campaigns in Fangak and
Pigi counties come after the SPLM-GoSS presidential campaign,
is due to struggle through navigation to reach voters to spread his
election manifestos. Duer is due to conduct last minute rallies
while heading to Bor town, the capital of Jonglei State later this week.

The Independent candidate George Athor Deng heads to Greater Bor area
after moving through Uror, Nyrirol and Ayod. Mr. Athor, whose base
during the mid elections campaigns seasons is his home area of
Khorfulus, Pigi County, was initially thought to be the main rival to
incumbent Gov. Kuol Manyang but a poll conducted by Gurtang website puts him in the third place after Duer.

The random public polling conducted in Bor town rated Kuol Manyang at
67%, Joseph Duer at 23% and George Athor at 10%.

The online The Gurtong Peace Trust correspondent in Bor town, Kur
Michael Madul, however says the opinion polls results cannot
“predict the outcome” of April election since it is the first
elections in generations in South Sudan.

There is a conflict of choice between SPLM and NCP given the
referendum in 2011 in the South. Yearn for independence is high in
Southern Sudan. Also The former rebel fighters’ party in the Sudan, the
SPLM is the only bloc that tries to skip tribal boundaries in Jonglei State.

With a slogan of “peace, freedom and prosperity,” the SPLM expectations of winning
all seats in Jonglei are far above the Gurtong Magazine’s survey. The
SPLM candidate for Jonglei Governor Mr. Kuol told reporters on
April 1 that he will emerge victorious because “the people know where they are heading” in reference to referendum in 2011.

The SPLM consistent calls for timely conduct of referendum in the South are veering voters-off NCP paths.

The NCP, on the other hand, is perceived by majority of southern Sudanese as the main cause of suffering during the war and a force behind tribal conflict.

When it comes to recognition of southerners’ right forself-determination, the NCP becomes the only northern party that acknowledges this. Further, the Unity Support Development Fund injected into Jonglei State for projects including Dhiam-Dhiam dock, Gadiang modern village and the dry season road network that connects Duk, Twic East, Akobo, Uror, Nyirol, Bor and Pibor counties also played a crucial role for comprehension of NCP development promises. Here, the NCP maintains supporters.

But for the independent candidate George Athor, voters associate him with SPLM. In fact a vote for independent is acceptance of personal ability to deliver some services once elected. Insufficient understanding of the words ‘independent candidate’ among illiterate
voters drains votes.

Above all, expectations are high since a little has being done in
sectors of basic needs in the last five years of peace. Conflicts over
cattle surged in 2009 killing nearly 2000 people in Jonglei.

The latest Aid agencies’ warning indicates that the world hungriest place
might be in Jonglei State. Akobo, in the eastern region of Jonglei, is
now the “hungriest place on earth,” according to aid officials, after
a new survey showed that 46% of children under five are malnourished –
15% severely so, the BBC reports.

The probability for one political force to win all parliamentary
seats is in doubt. But the politicians swiftly reply that “everything
is okay” when asked ‘how are campaigns?’

In less than a week from now, Jonglei voters will decide the first elected governor and
representatives to legislative assemblies.

Much as campaigns are generally peaceful, the real test for calm in Jonglei state is the polling day and announcement of elections results.

(ST)