Aweil community unanimously endorse governor’s removal
December 1, 2013 (JUBA) – A one-day community conference, bringing together high profile political identities from across South Sudan’s Northern Bahr el Ghazal state, wrapped up on Saturday with participants unanimously agreeing on the removal of governor Paul Malong Awan.
Awan was appointed in March 2008, replacing Madut Biar Yel, who took over from, Mareng Akuei Ajou, the state’s first post-war governor.
In 2010, Awan was re-appointed by president Salva Kiir as caretaker governor and subsequently contested the same gubernatorial seat with four other candidates, three of whom were from other political parties. His main challenger, General Dau Aturjong, ran as an independent after failing to secure approval from the Political Bureau, the highest political organ within the structure of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).
Aturjong was among the more than 300 senior SPLM members who expressed dissatisfaction with the collegial nomination processes in 2010 and decided to run independently in accordance with the constitutional provisions under section 54 (2) (c) of Sudan’s 2008 National Elections Act and used to conduct the 2010 elections.
Although preliminary results from major polling stations put Aturjong in the lead, the elections commission later announced results in favour of the incumbent governor, sparking protests and cross the state.
While he refused to accept the result, Aturjong left the state in to avoid tensions escalating further. He was later reinstated as sixth division commander in the South Sudanese army (SPLA).
As part of security sector reforms, Kiir removed several senior military officers from active service and placed them on reserve earlier this year, a polite way of retiring officials in a country where pension laws have not yet been put into place.
Aturjong was one of the retired generals, renewing political fears from Awan and his supporters that the former commander would continue to enjoy popular support.
KEY PRINCIPLES
In a public address at Saturday’s conference, Aturjong, spoke about the importance of peace, development, human rights and democracy, saying the principles are fundamentally linked to the inalienable rights of all South Sudanese people.
Aturjong made no comment, however, on whether he would contest the next general elections due to be held in 2015.
Supporters interrupted the general throughout his short speech, with calls of “freedom fighter” and “patriot”.
He downplayed political fears that some people are working to bring down the systems of governance.
“We made this system to be what it is today. So it is not right that there are people working to bring it down. How can you bring your own house down? How can you do that? We made it ourselves and I don’t think we can forget the difficulties we experienced while establishing it,” he said, in a clear reference to the recent turmoil within SPLM leadership.
“Our main objective is to ensure that our people enjoy the benefit of peace, unity, love and above all promote and cultivate the culture of togetherness as we displayed during the [civil] war [with Sudan]. We fought as one people, as brothers and sisters. What happened what after achieving the cause of war? I think it is time we ask ourselves and do what is right”, he added.
AWAN BLAMED FOR DISUNITY
Meanwhile, Aldo Ajou Deng Akuei, an elderly politician representing the community of Abiem, says he’s not aspiring to a gubernatorial post in the house as the position had already been held twice before by individual politicians from the area that it was time for other remaining counties to select the their preferred candidate.
He has accused Awan of being the cause of ongoing confusion and disunity in the state.
“He must go so that our people restore hope, peace, love and unity, which cannot be achieved under his dividing leadership”, Akuei said.
Mel Wal Achien, a member of the national legislative assembly representing Aweil North county, said he approved the decision on Awan’s removal on behalf of members of the house.
Former state advisor Sameyo Adut said Awan [own] called on Awan to resign immediately, saying the governor “has no friends even within his family members”.
The community conference was held at Nyakuron Culture Centre under the theme ‘our unity is our strength’.
Participants discussed a range of issues, including social relations, peaceful coexistence with neighbouring communities, building consensus on common matters and how to deal with challenges within the community.
Previous resolutions from the 2012 conference were among the matters discussed, including calls for the governor to reinstate civil servants dismissed by his administration over allegations they participated in the 2010 elections.
The community is also demanding the reinstatement of former speaker Aguer Wol Aguer, who was removed by Awan in 2012, amid accusation he was creating disunity in the house.
Other demands included reinstatement of six members of parliament removed by Awan amid unsubstantiated claims they were collaborating with members from other political parties in the house against the SPLM.
(ST)