Lakes State secretaries reject appointment of SPLM Secretary

October 2, 2012 (RUMBEK) – South Sudan’s governerning Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) in Lakes state has rejected the appointment of Mabor Ater Dhuol as acting secretary.

In reaction SPLM assistant secretaries locked the office of the Lakes state secretary. One of those responsible, who asked to retain their anonymity, said that Mabor’s appointment was unconstitutional as it was not agreed upon by the 51 members of the State Liberation Council (SLC).

The offices of all eight counties of the state voiced concern about Mabor’s appointment.

On Monday the county secretaries travelled to the state capital, Rumbek to protest against the appointment and called for a reversal of the decision.

Mabor Kau Akec, a member of the SLC said he appreciated the appointment made by party state chairperson. In Lakes State the SLC has 51 members including the chairperson. Members are elected at a congress of delegates from Lakes state’s eight counties.

Akec stated that the “SPLM party constitution gives power to the state chairperson in article 33 sub articles 7 of SLC functions and duties to approve the appointment or removal of the state secretary or any of the state assistant secretaries on the state chairperson”.

Chairperson of the Lakes state SPLM, Daniel Awet Akot, said that the decision “is one and for all – it will not be reversed whatsoever be.”

(ST)