Mayen reaffirms intention to run for president, says SPLM ‘has never been honest’

JUBA, JULY 17, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – The leader of the opposition People’s Liberal Party and former minister of humanitarian affairs and disaster management Peter Mayen Majongdit has reiterated his intention to run for president in the 2024 elections.

Mayen said in a brief statement on his Facebook page that he is still committed to his goal of bringing about reforms and democratic transformation in South Sudan and accused the SPLM factions led by President Salva Kiir and his first deputy Riek Machar of deception.

“I supported both SPLMs (IG & IO) but I knew one day they [would] turn their back on me because SPLM has never been honest even among themselves. That is why we need reforms and democratic transformation for your future,” he said.

Mayen, a former minister of humanitarian affairs and disaster management, declared his intention to run for elections in April this year.

He is the other candidate beside President Kiir to announce his intention for president.

Peter Mayen, then leader of the Other Political Parties (OPP), served as minister of humanitarian affairs and disaster management from 2020 to November 2022 after he was accused of corruption over handling of government funds meant to assist floods victims in different parts of the country.

The government had in September 2022, the government allocated 16.7 million US dollars for emergency flood response and contracted 25 national companies to supply food and non-food items to floods affect populations across the country.

But none of those items promised by the government was delivered.

As a result, social media users including prominent cartoonist Adija Acuil asked Mayen as to explain how the millions of dollars were used.

In response, Mayen said only $2 million from the amount allocated by the government was disbursed, but to the ministry of presidential affairs and that he walked away with nothing following his removal on November.