South Sudan president says will not sacrifice some officials for peace
April 15, 2016 (JUBA) – South Sudanese President, Salva Kiir, on Friday renewed his earlier commitment not to sack some of his political allies and supporters in the event of formation of a transitional government of national unity.
“There is too much fear and suspicious among comrades that they will be sacrificed when the government is formed. I don’t think that this will happen. There will only be change of duties and assignments in order to accommodate others,” Kiir reassured his close allies.
He also said he will never reverse his order which created 28 controversial states in the country even if others talk about it. The comment indicates future hurdle in the formation of state governments.
“I have always said that this issue of states is a demand of the people and if there are people who want it to be reversed, they can go and talk to the people and if the people accept, then they will come and say what exactly they want, after all I have given them what they have been asking. I cannot again go against it. What will I say if they ask,” he said.
President Kiir was talking to senior government officials in an attempt to not discourage his supporters and long-time political allies who feel may not be appointed in the upcoming new government.
His comments about the states were later echoed by the Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Michael Makuei Lueth, who threatened the media to stop referring to the states as ‘proposed’, saying that the decision will not be reversed even if the opposition faction of the SPLM-IO under the leadership of Riek Machar, First Vice President designate, wants it reversed.
Lueth criticized the media for not recognizing the 28 states, saying they shouldn’t be waiting for the SPLM-IO to either confirm or reject them.
“You don’t recognize this order and you don’t recognize that there are 28 states in South Sudan. Sometimes you refer to them as ‘proposed’ 28 states… proposed by whom? Who is that you are waiting for? Are you waiting for the SPLM-IO to come and confirm them?” This is rubbish,” said a visibly looking annoyed information minister Lueth on Tuesday at a news conference broadcasted by the state-run South Sudan Television.
He added that the 28 states have already been operationalized and their governors appointed, telling journalists not to waste their time.
The minister also warned journalists of consequences by paying a price for writing unfavourably.
‘I request that you abide by this so that you don’t step on the toes of others. And whoever steps on the toes of others definitely pays for that,” he warned.
(ST)