N. Bahr el Ghazal assembly reinstates former MPs

December 26, 2014 (JUBA) – Six lawmakers from South Sudan’s Northern Bahr el Ghazal assembly, initially dismissed from the country’s ruling party (SPLM) thus losing their parliamentary seats, have been reinstated.

The MPs, according to a dismissal letter dated 7 July 2012, were accused of disloyalty amid claims they were secretly cooperating with members of other political parties in the state parliament against the interests of the government.

General Paul Malong Awan, then the state governor, ordered their dismissal and revoked their SPLM membership.

Awan, now the army chief of staff, is the ruling party chairperson in the border state.

Supporters of the dismissed lawmakers earlier questioned the governor’s decision and claimed his letter, which was approved by SPLM deputy secretary-general, did not make any specific references to rules or party regulations said to have been violated.

Those dismissed included Kuac Wek Wol, Deng Deng Akuei, Hikma Ali Malek, Achak Thiep, Andrew Lual Buola and Vicky Nyanut Urach. Malek and Thiep later accepted their mistakes, apologised and were reinstated amid reports they were pressured.

But the other four members of parliament declined to apologise.

Also, no action was taken despite president Salva Kiir directing that the MPs be reinstated following a decision from the council of state.

Wek, Buola, Urac and Akuei were reinstated last week and sworn in at a function attended by the state caretaker governor, Kuel Aguer.

Their reinstatement came followed the June 2013 meeting the MPs held with former governor Awan at which consensus was reached.

Kuel called on members to work for peace and reconciliation as members of the SPLM, stressing the importance of unity among SPLM members as elections approach.

(ST)