Lakes state government appointment not to be forced through

November 20, 2012 (RUMBEK) – The Lakes State Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) chairperson, Daniel Awet Akot, has ended the political deadlock caused by the appointment of Mabor Ater Dhuol as Lakes State SPLM secretary.

Dhuol’s replacement of the late Samuel Mathiang Keer was unconstitutional, according to members of the state parliament.

The Lakes State assistant secretaries, county chairpersons and county secretaries emerged from a closed-door meeting at the party secretariat office on Monday.

Akot, who is the Deputy Speaker of of South Sudan’s parliament, called for the unity of party members and urged them to focus on building a better nation.

“There is nothing to be imposed,” said Awet in reference to Dhuol’s appointment.

Akot denied rumours circulating on Monday that Dhuol would be appointed by force. He asked that it was objected to by the majority, “how can I swear him in at 6am as people of wrong wishers claim?”

In October the Lakes state SPLM assistant secretary for political affairs, Malou Moses Majok, has said that he feared for his safety following a disagreement with the state party chairperson, in which Daniel Awet Akot controversially appointed Mabor Ater Dhuol, replacing Samuel Mathiang Keer as the state party acting secretary.

(ST)