Lakes state SPLM secretariat at odds with party chairperson
October 29, 2012 (RUMBEK) – The chairperson of Sudan People’s Liberation Movement Party (SPLM) in Lakes state, Daniel Awet Akot was involved in a dispute on Monday with other state politicians during a meeting to discuss the appointment of Mabor Ater Dhuol, replacing Samuel Mathiang Keer as acting secretary.
The meeting was attended by assistant secretaries of: Culture and Information; Syndicated Affairs; Planning and Research; Political Affairs; and Administration and Finance. The assistant secretary for Organisational Affairs refused to attend in protest against Dhuol’s appointment.
Akot is also deputy speaker for South Sudan’s National Legislative Assembly and member of the powerful SPLM political bureau as well being chairperson of SPLM in Lakes State.
His appointment on 16 September was met with widespread dissent by the Lakes SPLM secretariat.
In a meeting at 10.00am held in the Lakes State SPLM party headquarters, only four assistant secretaries participated; eight county secretaries and their eight chairpersons were expelled by chairperson Akot.
Akot justified his decision to expel them saying that “this meeting is just scheduled for state headquarter secretariat only.”
He also added that he will visit all eight counties of Lakes states, allowing all chairpersons and secretaries to meet with him.
In letter dated 29 October SPLM county chairpersons were ordered to report themselves to their respective places of work.
In 2009 Daniel Awet Akot was elected by 51 members of the Lakes State Liberation Council (SLC) as chairperson of the SPLM in the state. Akot failed in his bid to contend for the 2010 gubernatorial election when the party refused to allow him to run for them.
On Sunday Akot made a surprise trip to visit Lakes State. Upon his arrival in Wulu County he briefed SPLM members on reforms within party secretariats in some counties.
He announced the dismissal of county secretary Akol Muorwel from his post due to his long absence from office.
The SPLM party members explained the difficulties facing the party surrounding transportation and finances. Awet responded by offering them a land cruiser.
Akot made it clear that reform within Lakes State must to be made by dismissing more secretaries at county level or secretariat level. He said that “County chairperson Akol Muorwel will be removed from seat so that smooth administrative monitoring are done on a daily basis.”
“Malou Moses Majok, who was been acting all this time since the death of late Samuel Mathiang will not also sit in this office as acting secretary” added Akot.
(ST)