Warrap women celebrates election of first female governor

By Ngor Arol Garang

April 29, 2010 (WUNROK) — A weeklong celebration following election of the first democratically elected female governor, in the southern state of Warrap, continues to go on as local women vows to rally behind her gubernatorial plans beneficial to the people of the area.

On Sunday 25, National Elections Commission (NEC) announced Nyandeng Malek Deliech as successful female governor of Warrap state replacing male appointed governor, Tor Deng Mawien, who did not seek to contest elections after being barred by procedural steps required for nomination of political candidates in accordance with 2008 amended SPLM constitution.

Nyandeng Malek Deliech won the election with 517159 votes, while Theresa Owen Dal of the National Congress Candidate got 11337 votes , Mayom Kuoc Nyuol of the SSDF got 8497 votes and Henry Akoon Agai of the ANC had 3240 votes.

The 2008 amended SPLM constitution gives maximum of five years to the newly registered members of the party to contest gubernatorial positions and ten years for those wanting to contest Southern Sudan presidency chair. Additionally, it gives three years for legislative seats and other positions as member of the party at the council level.

These conditions denied Governor Tor, who had previously served as deputy speaker of the southern Sudan legislative Assembly on the National Congress Party ticket, from going to the poll as official nominee of the SPLM. He switched his political side in 2008 to become governor of Warrap state replacing lieutenant General Anthony Bol who replaced first post CPA governor Luis Anei Kueidit.

General Madut who replaced Ustaz Anei Kueidit is widely known as pure military personnel turned politician after appointed to the Juba based parliament, as an area Member of Parliament, representing one of the constituencies in his home county of Tonj East in Warrap State.

Given his military background, he is remembered for having stopped internal tribal conflicts in the area while serving as state governor till his removal by the president of Southern Sudan government. He declined contesting the same gubernatorial position when many were seeking SPLM approval of their candidatures.

Anei however sought the approval of his nomination but lost it to Nyandeng Malek Deliech who became official nominee by the approval of the political bureau. He had considered to contest as an independent candidate but quickly changed his mind after being advised by the SPLM leadership and friends to drop off going to the poll independently.

Nyandeng therefore went to the poll without SPLM turned independent candidate as it happened in the seven southern states of Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Jonglei, Eastern Equatoria, Unity, Upper Nile, Central Equatoria and Western Equatoria but contested with candidates from other political parties.

Without heavyweight politician in the area, she victoriously contested elections against the National Congress Party candidate Theresa Owen Dal, South Sudan Democratic forum candidate Mayom Kuoc Nyuol and candidate from African National Congress Party of former Sudanese Vice President George Kongoor Arop in the name of Henry Akoon Agai.

Both Akoon and Kuoc lost elections to SPLM candidate without concessions as Southern Sudan Democratic Forum cited electoral frauds and restriction of their representatives at each polling station during voting processes. However, these allegations of electoral frauds and restrictions did not stop citizens of Warrap from recognizing victory of Nyandeng Malek as governor -elect. Majority particularly women in the area lauded her election with pledges to support her implement campaign promises while office.

“We are privileged to have a woman of our own being elected as governor of the state. This is the first time it happened. We only see men wrangling over powerful positions leaving little or no decision making positions to us,” said Adeng Wieu Deng at her restaurant in Wunrok. Similarly, Achol Deng Bul, another women activist in Wunrok said “our 25% should not have been limited to parliamentary or ministerial seats but it has to appear in powerful elected positions such as position of governor.”

“We are celebrating election of Nyandeng Malek because this is the beginning of the recognition of our potentials and capability to lead like men,” said another woman who introduced herself as Achuil Deng Yak. “I am glad men have started recognizing importance of women to elect them into powerful decision making positions,” she further said.

(ST)