Machar to convene consultative meeting for nomination of state, local gov’t officials

JUBA – South Sudan’s First Vice President and SPLM-IO leader Dr. Riek Machar Teny is preparing to convene a consultative meeting of the senior membership of the main armed opposition group for nomination of state and local government officials, a senior member of the SPLM-IO has said.

This comes two days after Kiir and Machar agreed to the allocation of local government positions which has been pending since parties reached deal on states in September.

Speaking to Sudans Post this morning, a senior member of the SPLM-IO said Machar will convene a meeting this weekend for nomination to states and local government positions.

“The First Vice President will this weekend call for a meeting to consult the senior membership of the SPLM-IO on how to nominate our people to the positions given to us,” the official said from Juba.

Separately, senior opposition official confirmed the plans. Dut Majokdit, a member of the main armed opposition group in Northern Bahr el Ghazal said Machar is going to convene a consultative meeting this week.

“The SPLM-IO leadership under Dr Riek Machar Teny will start a consultative meeting with all our members and the political leadership in the ten states regarding the formation of the state governments and the reconstitution of the parliament and the Council of States this week,” he said.