Unity state MPs back calls to reinstate sacked governor
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July 13, 2013 (BENTIU/JUBA) – Lawmakers from South Sudan Unity state
assembly have asked President Salva Kiir to reconsider his decision of
removing the duly elected governor, Taban Deng Gai.
JPEG - 86.1 kb
Unity State Governor Taban Deng Gai speaks to the media in Bentiu,
November 15, 2011 (ST)
Kiir, on Sunday, issued a surprise decree firing Gai, but gave no
reason for his decision. He immediately appointed Joseph Nguen
Monytuil as the new caretaker.
The president, under article 101(r) of South Sudan’s constitution, is
allowed remove a state Governor and/or dissolve a state Legislative
Assembly in the event of threats to national security or territorial
integrity. It, however, stipulates that fresh elections be organised
within 60 days.
Unity state lawmaker, in their position paper seen by Sudan Tribune,
duly acknowledge the president’s decision, while welcoming the new
governor, but insist the removal of Gai was uncalled for.
“But your Excellency, Unity state had never experienced any political
instability and insecurity, which might have led to the removal of the
governor elect. For we are here to oversee the state general
performance, and save national interest that may threaten the state
and national security”, partly reads the MPs’ letter, also copied to
the vice-president and ruling party (SPLM) Secretary General.
The lawmakers’ position, comes less than a week after the country’s
vice-president, Riek Machar wrote a similar letter asking Kiir to
reverse his decision to sack the Unity state governor, suggesting it
was done in violation of the country’s constitution.
Machar disclosed that he was not consulted, but heard it on television
and challenged his boss’s assessment of the current security situation
in the Unity state.
“I was in Unity state on June 29th, 2013, there is no insecurity that
threatens national security and territorial integrity in Unity state,
instead Governor Taban Deng Gai and his government was very
instrumental in bringing about peace and stability to the state,"
Machar said in the 7 July letter, also seen by Sudan Tribune.
"He [Deng] was solely responsible for the coming and acceptance of
your timely pardon by the armed group of General Bapiny Monytuel
Wicjang who abandoned opposition against the government of the
Republic of South Sudan last May”, the letter reads in part.
The vice-president, in his letter, also reminded the president that
Gai had won the 2010 general elections and thus had the same
legitimacy as Kiir before the constitution and his people of Unity
state.
Ironically, during the April 2010 elections Machar’s wife, Angelina
Teny ran against Deng who was also the incumbent governor, but the
latter ended up winning by a small margin.
The now appointed caretaker was in Teny’s camp during these elections.
Machar also expressed “deep” concern that dismissal of the elected
governor “might heighten tension and aggravate prevailing state of
insecurity in the country that may lead to political instability”.
The country vice-president implored upon Kiir to reverse his decision
warning that absent of any objective reasons will be seen as
politically motivated.
It is, however, unlikely that president Kiir will heed to the advice
carried in the letter from his deputy as he has already proceeded with
the swearing in of the new governor.
Machar’s letter is the latest sign of growing rift between Kiir and
senior officials in his government and ruling Sudan People Liberation
Movement.
The VP has stepped up his criticism of president Kiir accusing him of
incompetence and failure to lead the state which became independent,
exactly two years ago.
Meanwhile, Unity state’s ex-governor insisted that his removal by the
president was “unconstitutional”.
"Recently when I went to America, the President was suspicious that I
had meetings with American government that I’m pushing for Riek Machar
election”, Gai told a congregation in Unity state last week.
He however said Machar is free to contest for the leadership of South
Sudan, if he wanted to.
(ST)
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