W. Bahr el Ghazal marks SPLM/A day amid low turnout

May 16, 2015 (WAU) – Authorities in South Sudan’s Western Bahr el Ghazal state on Saturday celebrated Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM/A), amid low turnout.

Dozens of soldiers, pupils and citizens joined the procession, starting from Wau peace square to the main stadium.

The state governor, Rizik Zackaria Hassan said the day was important for remembering the long liberation struggle.

“Today [Saturday] is very important to all the people of South Sudanese across the world and wherever they are including those rebels who took arms against their own people,” said Hassan

“Thanks to SPLM ruling party because it was the only political party which made a lot of negotiations with Sudan’s National Congress Party towards our current destination to independence,” he added.

He also criticised those who took up arms against ruling SPLM party.

“There is nothing wrong with SPLM, only those who disobeyed the SPLM party rule are the problem,” Hassan told the Wau crowd.

On the increasing crime rates, Hassan said authorities had launched investigations on these matters and asked called for patience among the population in the state.

“We are now investigating these incidences, including the recent killing of the paramount chief, murder by unknown gunmen of four fishermen in Raga county and a teacher in Bushere payam,” he said.

Abraham Machar, the acting SPLA division five infantry commander said SPLA forces in the state were alert to avert any aggression.

(ST).