South Sudanese businessman denies appointment by rebels

July 15, 2015 (KAMPALA) – A South Sudanese businessman, Kennedy Losuk Lokule, who is the chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of Prism Construction company, has denied reports he was appointed as an economic advisor in the armed opposition faction of the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) under the leadership of former vice president, Riek Machar. The rebel movement last week published a list of newly appointed officials including Lokule who currently resides in Uganda. But in a letter he wrote to the South Sudanese ambassador in Kampala, Samuel Luate Lominisuk, Lokule denied the report saying he was not aware of the appointment by the rebel leadership and had no contact with the opposition group. “I have read and received numerous calls regarding an article that appeared on July 11th, 2015 on the Sudan Tribune website wherein it was reported that the chairman of SPLM-IO Dr. Riek Machar had appointed a one Mr. Kennedy Losuk as an Economic Promotion advisor,” reads the letter to South Sudan’s embassy in Kampala, dated 13 July, and extended to Sudan Tribune on Tuesday. “As a businessman with interests in the whole of East Africa, numerous people here assumed that I am the person so allegedly appointed. This is not true. I have had no contact with the chairman of SPLM-IO Dr. Riek Machar whether directly or indirectly since he left his position as the Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan.” Lokule further denied having been contacted by anybody whether in the government or in the opposition to serve in any capacity. He appealed to the South Sudanese embassy to grant him protection and help him clear the allegation. “I hope you will use your esteemed office to assist me in clarifying this unfortunate mix-up and obtain for me the necessary security assurance in South Sudan and East Africa to prevent any unfortunate albeit mistaken eventuality,” he pleaded. It was not clear under what circumstances the appointment came into being without the knowledge of the official or whether the appointment was genuine but he feared for his life after public disclosure of the assignment. Below is the appointment letter signed by the chairman and commander-in-chief of SPLM-IO which Sudan Tribune used as the basis for the report. (ST) Kennedy Losuk Lokule’s appointment

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