June 28, 2014 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudanese former vice-president and leader of the armed opposition movement (SPLM/A in Opposition), Riek Machar, has appointed chairs of various national committees to fill the structures of the “resistance movement” which he launched following the 15 December crisis in the country.
In the appointments, dated 23 June 2014, the former governor of Unity state, Taban Deng Gai, who has been the chief negotiator for the rebel group, is appointed chairman of national committee for peace and national reconciliation.
Dhieu Mathok Diing, has become chairman of committee for external relations, while the former head of political science department in the University of Juba, Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, chairs political mobilization committee.
A renowned lawyer and former MP in South Sudan’s national parliament, Richard K Mulla, takes up the responsibility for justice and human rights committee.
Mabior Garang de Mabior, son of late leader John Garang, is appointed the chairman of the national committee for information and public relations. Gabriel Changson Chang takes the role of finance and resource mobilization.
Tijwok Adhir Aguet, is appointed chairman for national committee on Agriculture while Banguot Amum Okiech, sister of the former SPLM secretary general, Pagan Amum, has become the chairlady of national committee for women and youth empowerment.
Jonglei state’s former deputy governor, Hussein Mar Nyuot heads the national committee for humanitarian affairs and Stephen Par Kuol, former minister of education in Jonglei state chairs the national committee for education. Elizabeth Acuei Yol heads health committee.
The chairman also appointed heads of strategic planning committees in his office. He appointed Timothy Tot Chol, former national lawmaker as chairman for federal governance development unit.
Ramadan Hassan Laku has become the chief coordinator in the office of the Chairman in the headquarters.
Machar’s spokesperson, James Gatdet Dak, told Sudan Tribune on Saturday that other national committees and strategic planning committees not yet appointed include: military committee, physical infrastructure development unit, public corporation enterprise development unit, anti-corruption measures development unit and SPLM basic documents development unit.
He further added that deputies and secretaries to the respective national committees, representatives of the movement in various countries and officials in the headquarters in the office of the chairman are yet to be appointed soon.
The opposition leader’s spokesperson further explained the importance of the appointment of the heads of the national committees, saying it was important in this phase of the struggle.
“The appointment of the respective chairs of the national committees is important in this phase of the struggle. It is important for collective decision-making processes by the leadership in formulating draft policies for the resistance movement as well as future governance system in the country,” he said.
Dak further explained that the committees shall serve as the executive organ of the movement.
– ST
1 comment
it is great to see high commitment by the rebel leadership to come up with what never done before salvage kiir gaverment in juba. all those appointed by splm/a in-opp carefully check by most qualified people unlike telar deng that chosen by solo to be a so called ministry for justice in which he(telar deng never provided the qualifiction as a prove.
now they (south sudan) ministeials must learn how the goverment could select people that can service people not themselve.