SPLM officials oppose Lakes state commissioner’s appointment

August 8, 2015 (RUMBEK) – South Sudan’s ruling party officials in Lakes state have criticised the caretaker governor’s decision to appoint an opposition politician the commissioner for Rumbek North county.

Nyot is a member of the opposition United Democratic Salvation Front (UDSF) while his predecessor belonged to the ruling SPLM party.

However, Friday’s announcement of Nyot as the new commissioner for Rumbek North county has already drawn sharp criticisms from some of the ruling party members.

The ruling party secretary in Rumbek north county, Joseph Nyiec Chol insists the state governor’s decision be immediately revised.

“This man was in Khartoum, this is completely unacceptable to offer Rumbek North to other political party for self interest. It is really a hard time and we need change,” Chol told Sudan Tribune by phone.

Chol claimed the governor was working alone without consulting SPLM members and that the appointment was not going to work.

Prior to his appointment, Nyot served as press secretary to the governor.

According Nyiec, even the SPLM chairperson in Lakes state, Daniel Awet Akot opposed the appointment of the new commissioner.

“The first consultations on Madong Muorwel Nyot’s appointment failed when SPLM state chairperson Daniel Awet Akot refuses the request from caretaker Governor Dhuol on July 15, 2015,” he said.

“Awet’s refusal was supported by the entire SPLM party members in Rumbek leaving the caretaker governor without backup,” he added.

It remains unclear what governor’s next move would be on the widespread opposition to his choice of Rumbek North commissioner.

Lakes state has been embroiled in cycles of revenge attacks with many blaming government for allegedly failing to curb insecurity.

(ST)