Oct 5, 2020(Nyamilepedia) — A number of communities in South Sudan’s Upper Nile State are calling on President Salva Kiir to appoint the heavy-weight armed opposition general, Lt. Gen. Johnson Olony, as their governor.
Referencing an open letter they have written to president Kiir on August 22, 2020, the communities remind President Kiir to do the needful as requested.
“Reference to our open letter dated August 22nd 2020; send to your esteem office’ citing our support for the Appointment of Johnson Olony Thubo, as a Governor of Upper Nile state, Your Excellency, the concerned citizens of Upper Nile are hereby expressing to you, their assurance for Johnson olony as a well committed person to the implementation of the revitalize peace Agreement.” Read part of a letter extended to Nyamilepedia.
According to the communities’ leaders, who held another meeting today October 5th, 2020, the people of Upper Nile State are calling on President Salva Kiir and Dr. Riek Machar to finalize the appointment of Gen. Olony as their governor.
“The suffering communities of Upper Nile state felt so neglected as the incomplete formation of state Government remain contentious, the communities has held a meeting today, 05/10/2020, urging the Two principles, specially the President of the republic, Gen, Salva Kiir Mayardit, to humbly completed his constitutional mandate, by appointing Johnson Olony as expected of him by the citizens of Upper Nile state, Your Excellency, we are ready to receive the new Governor, and more than ready to collectively disseminated peace messages within our devastated communities” said Hon Stephen Lor Nyak, the Head of the Committee.Â
President kiir in a public address cited Johnson Olony as “a warmonger and cannot be a governor”,a clam that Upper Nile communities disputed and asked the two principles to prove that it is Gen. Olony that is delaying the graduation of the Unified Force or otherwise prove that he is the one delaying the formation of the legitimate RTLA.
“was it he Johnson Olony that hold on the long overdue graduation of the trains unified forces and their redeployment? Was it Johnson Olony delaying the dissolution of Parliament and the formation of TNLA? The answer must remain No” The Upper Nile communities asked.
The self-proclaimed community leaders are concerned of why president Kiir wants Johnson Olony to travel to Juba as a precondition for his appointment.
“President Kiir demand for Johnson Olony being in Juba is alarming” The group said.
“your excellency’s denial to accept majority Opinions and by not appointing the nominee of the SPLM IO, as a partner in the Agreement does not only signal bad luck to the people of Upper Nile but the entire south Sudan.” The group continued.
On behalf of the communities, the press statement was signed by the chairman Hon Stephen Lor Nyak chairman, vice-chairman Hon Mohammed Chum and several members.
