President Kiir takes oath, warns against corruption
By Julius N. Uma
May 21, 2010 (JUBA) — Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit was today officially sworn-in as Southern Sudan’s President. His Ugandan counterpart, Yoweri Museveni and former Kenyan President Daniel Arap Moi attended the colorful ceremony.
In his address, President Kiir outlined his five-year strategic plan, revealing that his new administration will strive to achieve its objectives, having been given the mandate by the people.
“We strongly believe that the people of South Sudan want peace, freedom and better standards of living. I want to assure you all that my government will strive to ensure that all this is achieved. Never will I be a disgrace to the people who showed confidence in me by re-electing me to office,” President Kiir, clad in usual hat remarked.
Albeit the semi-autonomous region was not a direct signatory to the Millennium Declaration on the much-hyped Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), it reportedly made tremendous progress towards achieving these goals.
Indeed, President Kiir reiterated his government’s commitment towards the 2015 MDGs, saying the five-year strategic plan will focus on reducing maternal and child mortality rates, improving health systems, education as well as sectors like agriculture, on which the economy is dependent.
The Government of Southern Sudan President, known for his anti-corruption stand, pledged full commitment towards fighting graft and other forms of corruption-related practices.
“My new government will not tolerate any form of corruption and those implicated will face serious consequences,” he warned.
Last year, Parliament passed the new Anti-Corruption Act 2009, fully giving Southern Sudan Anti-Corruption Commission (SSACC) the mandate and powers to investigate all corruption-related cases and report findings to the relevant authorities.
However, with the President’s five-year strategic plan fully hinged on the full implementation of Sudan’s 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), key areas such as security maintenance, improvement of physical infrastructure, provision of safe and clean drinking water and education for all are likely to be prioritized.
On the national level, Kiir is in accordance with the interim constitution also becomes First Vice President of the Republic. President Omer Al-Bashir will swear in next week.
Also in attendance were Sudan’s Vice President Ali Osman Taha and his Kenyan counterpart, Kalonzo Musyoka, Government of Southern Sudan Vice President, Dr. Riek Marchar, newly elected Speaker of Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly, Lt. Gen. James Wani Igga, the CPA Chief mediator, Gen. Lazarus Sumbeywo, ministers, legislators and members of the international community?
WHO IS GENERAL SALVA KIIR MAYARDIT?
Born in 1951 in Akon, Gogrial West County of Warrap State, Southern Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit attended Akon primary school in the late 50s, later joining Kuajok secondary school, before graduating from the Sudan Military College.
He later joined Southern Sudan Revolution Arm Struggle (Anya-nya) in 1967; aged 17, allegedly in protest against injustices meted by the Khartoum regime. In 1983, Kiir was elevated to the membership of the Sudanese Peoples Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) High Command Council.
Described by many as a freedom fighter, soldier and liberator, Kiir was later appointed Commander of the SPLA Training Centre at the beginning of the liberation struggle, assuming many key strategic positions afterwards.
From the time he became the late Dr. John Garang’s deputy in the SPLM/A leadership, Salva Kiir played very many key roles including, leading the party delegation to the 1993 Sudan peace talks held in Abuja. He also played a key part in the SPLM’s involvement in the 2002 peace talks in Kenya, which resulted into the Machakos Protocol Agreement on July 20, 2002. This paved way for the signing of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
However, following the sudden death of Dr. John Garang on July 30, 2005, SPLM/A High Command unanimously elected Gen. Salva Kiir as the SPLM Chairman and the Commander-in-Chief of the army. He was again re-elected to the same portfolio three years later by delegates during the SPLM second National Convention.
Since then, Gen. Kiir, also Sudan’s First Vice-President, has assumed full responsibilities not only as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, but also Government of Southern Sudan President. He retained the post after garnering 93% of the votes, beating his only challenger, Dr. Lam Akol by wide margin in the just-concluded general elections.
(ST)
NYDG
President Kiir takes oath, warns against corruption
War mentality is still looming in southern Sudan. What is the point of this military guy in a military uniform standing behind Kiir in a setting like this. This was not a military parade? Maybe he could stand behind Kiir in a military parade at the SPLA headquarters or anywhere they have a military gathering. Where Kiir is, there is a always a military guy standing behind him even in the church. It is awkward and reminding people of war time and mistrust of the president around the people who sorrounded him. I’m not calling for this secret services to be eliminated, but I think he should be in suit to make it a professional. There is no point. There should be another way to present that instead of standing behind like that so close to the president. Shame on you.
Dinka Boy
President Kiir takes oath, warns against corruption
Contratulation President Kiir Mayardit. Good luck with your administration because you deserved this presidency in the South due to your dedication and struggle during the wartime. Since you are the only high rank leader left,no one can compliant for you because dedication always count.
I encouraged you that insecurity in the South has increased alot. There must and should be law against cattle raiding in the South. Death sentence or shooting in squart must be the solution to the criminal found rading or stealing the cattle of civilians. Thanks
Gatwech
President Kiir takes oath, warns against corruption
Dear readers,
A QUIZ TO THINK ABOUT IN THE SOUTH!
The mystery of “21” digit which marks some special events, good and bad in the South.
1/ Do you know why the first agreement between North and South Sudan on self-determination and referendum was signed on 21st April 1997?
2/ Do you know why the North-South war of SPLM/A took us 21 years?
3/ Do you know why John Garang took only 21 days in office and died after taking oath?
4/ And now do you know why Salvatore Kiir took oath on 21st May 2010?
Please think about that digit “21” which you are stumbling over and instead walking into it like blind without walking sticks.
Ahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa…………………..
Long live self-determination through referendum leading to full independence!
Long live the champions of self-determination!
Long live the people of South Sudan!
May God bless South Sudan this year with the long awaited change!
Dinka Boy
President Kiir takes oath, warns against corruption
Gatwech,
A narrator must help audience to comprehend the theme of his article. I have understood that your writing mingle around bias and unproved ideas. What are you talking about if you are not suffering from mental diseases. You will remain an illiterate person in the entire South for sure because you always don,t know how the interest of the South Sudanese. Self-determination would have not come even closer if people are like you and your food lovers because all of you believed on something to be swallow for the short time. You were born empty and you will still die empty without knowing what to say. Short your openning up!
$iong mayom
President Kiir takes oath, warns against corruption
Common U non Dinka, without the mighty Dinka, you people will be slaves by now, There is no denying us, “Born to Rule And Fight” is our Motto. All of you defected and Joined the Arabs during the war hoping to defeat us but we had other ideas, And When you realized that Dinka is unbeatable you came back to us!!!!!. Just shut Up now and stop whingeing and Let Us rule the LAnd We sacrificed and Fought hard for. Go back to Arabs If u retards think they will be treat u any better. SPLA Oyee Dinka Oyee.
Dinka Boy
President Kiir takes oath, warns against corruption
Wiyual,
When you doesn,t know the history,then why not you stay away like others who monitor issues so that they can learn instead of impossing yourself into hot spot always. You have been attempting to say something with regard to the SPLM struggling but you fail miserablly. Do you think those left overs from Anya Nya 11 of Gai Tut and Akuot Atem emerged in 1987? Wow!
Please stop talking bias because there are liberators around you.
Also when did you heard that SPLM captured 95% in 1987. These are the only town captured in 1983-1987: Jokaw, Kurmuk, Buma, Pibor, Pachalla, Akobo,and rest where in the hand of Jallaba. But in 1988- 1989: Torit, Mading Bor,Rumbek, Tonj, Gogriel,d by SPLA. After Nuer defect we captured the entire Equatoria( magwi, Liria, Bilnyang, Yei, Yambio, Teregege, Shambe, and captured again Rumbek, Torit, Pachalla, Kapoeta, Mading Bor, Gogrial, Malut, etc.
What do you know from SPLA liberation? the only town which were left are Juba, Wau, and Malakal. If you doesn,t know then Juba was almost captured because SPLA under the command of Lt general Kuol Manyang, Lt general Bior Ajang, and late major general Paul Ring withdraw their troops after traitor Riek Machar was ignored for two months fighting with civilians in greater Bor area.
What do you while you have been kissing Bashier ass from 1991-2005.?
Please shup up because you those kind of people who makes noise when they smell food. Why begging Dr Garang de Mabior if you guys are men? We wlecome you and we stored the South while you were with Jallaba for decades, who can value you guys,none perhaps ngundeeng/wurnayang.
Thanks