Machar sworn in as Vice President after parliament’s approval
By James Gatdet Dak
June 14, 2010 (JUBA) — Dr. Riek Machar Teny was sworn in on Monday as the Vice President of the Government of Southern Sudan following his last week’s reappointment by a presidential decree.
One hour before taking oath of office, the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly unanimously approved the appointment of Dr. Machar as Vice President. This is in accordance with the Interim Constitution of Southern Sudan, which stipulates that the appointment of the Vice President shall first be approved by at least two-third majority of the members of the Assembly before he could take oath of office.
Machar was re-appointed on Friday, 11th June, as Vice President following the elections victory that brought back to the presidency his “running mate” General Salva Kiir Mayardit.
In a letter he addressed to the Speaker of the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly, President Kiir requested the parliament to approve the appointment of Dr. Machar, saying he strongly recommended him as the right person that will help him in the running of the government and in the full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).
The Controller of the Assembly and chairman of the SPLM Caucus, Peter Bashir Bhandi, who is MP from Western Equatoria state, during the parliamentary debate, commended the role played by Dr. Riek Machar during the liberation struggle and after the formation of the government in 2005.
He said Dr. Machar “is the right man in the right place” and explained that he was already declared publicly as running mate by President Salva Kiir Mayardit when he promised the people of Southern Sudan during the elections campaign that Machar would continue as his deputy if he was re-elected as President.
The head of the SPLM bloc in the parliament further added that Machar’s re-appointment was a fulfillment of President Kiir’s initial decision to choose him as his running mate during the presidential elections.
He said Machar was among the first fighters who joined the movement in its earliest stage and praised him for his role during negotiations with the National Congress Party (NCP), in the implementation of the CPA, adding that he has been contributing effectively since formation of the government in 2005. He urged the parliament to endorse his re-appointment as the Vice President.
Bhandi was also seconded by Honorable Joy Kwaje from Lainya County in Central Equatoria state. Kwaje congratulated President Salva Kiir for selecting, as Vice President, a “very able and capable leader” in the person of Dr. Riek Machar. She described Machar as committed nationalist.
She further added that President Kiir had already publicly declared Machar as his running mate during the elections, adding that the people also reacted by overwhelmingly voting for him in the April elections.
After a short debate with remarks all recommending the approval of the appointment without any opposing view, Honourable Deng Tiel from Bor County raised a motion urging the parliament to terminate any further debate on the topic and vote to approve the Machar’s appointment. Hon. Deng Tiel described Dr. Machar as a person with a lot of patience and possessing very good negotiation skills.
After Hon. Deng Tiel was seconded by Honourable Tulio Odong from Eastern Equatoria state, the debate was terminated and the 146 members of parliament who were present during the sitting unanimously approved Dr. Machar’s re-appointment.
The Speaker of the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly, James Wani Igga, then announced his unanimous approval after there was no any objection raised by any member.
President Kiir and his deputy Dr. Machar are expected to form the next government in the next few days.
(ST)