S. Sudan opposition alliance in court over President Kiir’s decree on new states
October 16, 2015 (JUBA) – An alliance of South Sudan opposition parties are in court seeking an order to halt President Salva Kiir’s unilateral move to expand states from 10 to 28.
“It is a violation of the [peace] agreement, lacks legal basis, usurps powers of the Legislature and contravenes the provisions of the peace agreement,” he added.
The South Sudan leader announced the decree through the state-owned SSTV on 2 October.
The decision sparked condemnation locally and international. The leader of armed opposition and former vice president, Riek Machar described the move as violation of the peace agreement brokered by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
The move taken by the national alliance is one of many voices opposing the order. Members of Parliament representing the Shilluk Kingdom described it as “doctorial.”
“The presidential order provides that this order shall not be amended save by another from the president. These provisions amount to dictatorship and violation of the constitution and the [peace] agreement,” said Onyoti Adigo, the leader of minority in the natonal assembly, who hails from the Shilluk Kingdom in South Sudan’s Upper Nile state.
The outspoken lawmaker said the president’s redrawing of the borders, contrary to colonial borders of 1956, is “problematic politically, administratively and socially to the people of the Shilluk kingdom and even to the people of the present Upper Nile state.”
“For example, all the Shilluk land on the Eastern part of the Nile are merged with the newly created Eastern Nile state without mentioning their counties of Fashoda, Manyo, Makal and Panyikang to be part of the new state,” stressed the vocal legislator.
Adigo further warned that the Shilluk could take Kiir to court if his new directive stood.
(ST)