March 15, 2021(Nyamilepedia) — Dr. Lam Akol, who is the chairman of National Democratic Movement, has called the order to detach Malakal town from Makal county unconstitutional, adding that it is a violation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement.
Last week, the Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Hon. Dr. Martin Elia Lomoro announced that Makal has now become a county while Malakal town shall be a municipality in Upper Nile state.
According to Dr. Akol, the minister did not quote the constitution or the peace agreement that gave him the right to effect the detachment.
“The media is awash with the statement attributed to the Minister of Cabinet Affairs of Government of the Republic of South Sudan to the effect that they have decided to detach Malakal town from Makal County and locate the capital of the latter to Wau Chollo,” read a press statement by Dr. Lam Akol.
“The minister did not quote the article of the Upper Nile State constitution or an article in the Revitalized Peace Agreement which gives him and those who were in that meeting the authority to decide on such a constitutional matter,” Dr. Akol continued.
The chairman of NDM said that the Late Dr. John Garang de Mabior defined Makal county as composed of Malakal town and the two chieftaincies of Lelo and Ogod.
He added that the capital of Makal has always been Malakal but not Wurjwok payam.
Dr. Lam Akol said that the change is not based on the constitution neither is it based on the peace agreement.
He urged the minister, the governor and the deputy governor to inform the public the legal repercussions of their action.
“This decision is not based on the constitution of the Upper Nile State nor the Revitalized Peace agreement. The procedures for amending these legal document are clear and have not been followed,” Dr. Akol said in a statement.
“The few persons who arrogated to themselves the right to take this decision should infor the public about the legal basis of their action. Otherwise it will be considered yet another gimmick to sere narrow interests,” the statement concluded.
