Ethnic Murle Yauyau to compete for Pibor area governorship position

December, 1 2015 (JUBA) – The current administrator of the predominantly ethnic Murle inhabited Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA), David Yauyau, may contest for the post of governorship for the Pibor administrative area with other candidates from the area who have shown interest for the post, Sudan Tribune had learned.

Sources from GPAA have told Sudan Tribune that Yauyau, who led an armed rebellion in the last four years for a separate state, had now said he would be the governor if accepted by his people.

However, close observers who are acquainted with the power struggle among members of the Murle community from the area said chances for Yauyau to get appointed for the position are slim.

“You know that he is going to contest. But possibility of him not getting through is high. Other prominent and elderly people will overpower him, but I am not saying he is a bad one, if the president appoints him, so be it,” observed a diplomat on Monday who worked for GPAA.

A consultative meeting of the competing Murle politicians is set to take place soon in Juba, according to Jody Jonglei Boyoris, a member of the greater Pibor area who is currently serving as information minister in Jonglei state.

The meeting, he said, would provide an opportunity for all the interested candidates who would be asked to show up in the meeting later this week or earlier next week.

“The meeting is planned to take place this week. I have no idea about the contestants. We will get them in the meeting, any nominees will be announced to the public,” said Jody on Monday in Juba.

David Yauyau, in his first phase of rebellion in April 2010, following the general elections, accused the governor of rigging the elections’ results in favour of his opponent, Jody Jonglei.

Days before Yauyau responded to the first amnesty issued by the president, Jody pledged that he would stand down for Yauyau if he accepted to return, but his request was not considered when Yauyau returned to Juba.

However, Baba Medan, the current deputy governor in Jonglei state who also hails from Pibor was said to have revealed his interest over the position. This has not been confirmed.

Another source said Yauyau administration was opposed by some elements in Pibor, resulting to the power struggle among Murle politicians.

(ST)