My sacking was unconstitutional, says former Unity State governor
July 8, 2013 (BENTIU) – Former Unity State governor Taban Deng Gai on Monday said his sacking by President Salva Kirr was unconstitutional.
The former governor claimed that the reason he was relieved off his duties is linked to a recent trip he made to America which the President suspects he used to hold meetings with US government officials on possibilities of Vice President Riek Machar contesting for the Presidency in the 2015 general elections.
“Because we are comrades [with the President], I have to tell him the truth and he has to tell me the truth. Recently when I went to America the President was suspicious that I had meetings with American government that I’m pushing for Riek Machar election”, Gai told the congregation.
In his address the former governor denied he had met Susan Rice, the American envoy to the United Nations or any other American official as suspected by the President.
President Kiir sacked Taban Deng Gai by presidential decree on Sunday without stating reason for sacking the governor who is an elected public official. The former governor says the president’s action is illegal as it is not in conformity with the South Sudan constitution.
Deng said he is opposed to tribal leadership arguing that South Sudan should not be divided along tribal lines as the government in Khartoum did during the struggle for independence by South Sudan.
“I do not encourage any government in the republic of South Sudan to behave like an Arab during decade struggle, because during those days Arab worked to divide Nuer, divide Dinka. I do not want anybody to divide us. Riek Machar is from Bentiu and me as well I am from Bentiu and I love to unite my people in Bentiu,’ he said adding that Riek Machar is free to contest for the leadership of South Sudan if he wants.
Deng did not explain what he meant by tribal leadership nor who he thinks is dividing the population in South Sudan as Khartoum did.
However,Franco Duoth Diu, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement Chairman for Leer County said Deng was removed because he had lost touch with the people of Unity State.
“Concerning the reaction in the state each and every individual in Unity state is flying up with happiness because the leadership of ex-governor had becomes so monotonous. It had really paralyzed institutional habit and behaviour especially on the part of the SPLM,’ said Diu.
In Bentiu some locals said Deng was only working for the benefit of the elite. Par Nhial is a Bentiu based pharmacist.
“Sure if there are people that are complaining of his removal they are those that have been gaining very much, those he has been supporting’’, said Nhial.
Governor Taban Deng’s removal is the second this year by President Kiir. Like it was with the case of Deng, Kiir issued a presidential decree in January removing the elected governor of Lakes State, Chol Tong Mayay.
(ST)