W. Equatoria Governor-Elect to be sworn in next week

May 21, 2010 (JUBA) — Sudan’s Western Equatoria State Governor-elect Col Bangasi Joseph Bakosoro will be sworn in next week on Wednesday May 26, 2010, a press statement from his office said on Thursday.

The information had been put out after a meeting held in Juba between the caretaker Madam Jemma Nunu and Col. Bakosoro., the statement disclosed.

The meeting was the first of its kind since Col. Bakosoro was declared winner by National Elections Commission last April.

Madam Jemma stated that she will be traveling to Yambio after the swearing in of President elect for GOSS General Salva Kiir ahead of Col. Bakosoro in order to speed up the arrangement for the ceremony.

CONTACTS WITH THE SPLM LEADERSHIP

Governor-Elect Col Bakosoro met on Wednesday with SPLM Secretary General, Pagan Amum, in his office in Juba who congratulated him for his victory and said the SPLM party was ready to welcome Col. Bakosoro back should he be willing to return back to the party.

Bakosoro earlier this week met with Salva Kiir, who had green-lighted him to form his cabinet and consultant him at will, the meeting was said to be cordial and built trust among the two men.

Col Bakosoro, who won the gubernatorial election in April, is expected to name his new Cabinet after the swearing in. He clinched the seat after garnering more votes against less of his closest opponent, Mrs Jemma Nunu Kumba of South Sudan’s dominant party, the SPLM.

Col Bangasi Joseph Bakosoro became South Sudan’s first Independent Governor after emerging triumphant from one of the most extraordinary elections in the semi-autonomous region.

The Col Bakosoro got 78563 votes with over 5000 plus votes over his main rival Mrs. Nunu Kumba (SPLM) who had 73057 votes. The other three candidates got the following votes Abbas Bullen Ajalla Bambey (UDSF) 8815 votes, Natale Ukele Alex Kimbo (Independent) 5510 votes, and Awad Kisanga Said Ahmed (NCP) 4893 Votes.

(ST)