July 27, 2020 (Nyamilepedia) – The SPLM-IO nominee for Upper Nile state governorship, General Johnson Olony Thambo has rejected a request by First Vice President and SPLM-IO chairman, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, to go to Juba, saying he will not be there before he is appointed.
The rejection by Olony to go to Juba comes as a standoff between President Kiir and Machar continue over Kiir’s rejection of Olony’s nomination for governorship of Upper Nile state, saying he was unfit to lead peace efforts in the state.
“Today, the leadership of SPLM/A-IO Sector 1 ( Div. 1 and Agwelek Div.) plus political wing under Lt. Gen. Johnson Olony Thubo Dak held a consultative meeting over a REQUEST by Chairman and C-in-C of SPLM/A-IO and the 1st VP Dr. Riek Machar Teny requesting Lt. Gen. Johnson Olony Thubo Dak to go to Juba in regards to Governorship position of Upper Nile State which has become a sticking issue of late,” a statement from Olony’s office issued over the weekend partly read.
The statement stated that the “entire leadership overwhelmingly REJECTED the REQUEST saying Lt. Gen. Olony will NOT go to Juba before appointment as the Governor of Upper Nile State.”
They urged President Salva Kiir to respect the genuine implementation of the revitalized peace agreement accusing the South Sudanese leader of working to destroy the agreement and return the country to war.
“The leadership advised President Salva Kiir Mayardit to follow the provisions of the agreement. If he, the President, wants to destroy the agreement, he should not entangle Lt. Gen. Olony as a scapegoat to his plans,” the statement said.
The statement further the meeting resolved to recall “all the peace delegates in Juba headed by Mr. Obudhok Ayang Anei Kur to Kitgwang, Upper Nile State for further consultation immediately.”
