SPLM-IO reiterates rejection of states gov’t formation before Olony’s appointment

JUBA – South Sudan’s main armed opposition group, SPLM-IO, led by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny, has again reiterated its rejection of states government formation before the appointment of its nominee for Upper Nile state governor, General Johnson Olony Thabo.

This comes after reports that President Salva Kiir is not authorizing formation of states and local governments formation until earlier next year when Nigerian preacher TB Joshua visit the country for the second time.

Olony was nominated as governor of the oil-rich northern state of Upper Nile in June by Machar when he and and Kiir broke a deadlock over who take what state.

However, Kiir refused to appoint him, saying the embattled opposition commander is a warmonger who he said will jeopardize reconciliation efforts between bitter Upper Nile states communities.

Speaking to Sudans Post on Sunday, senior SPLM-IO member and one of the main armed opposition group’s delegates who are in Juba for peace mission, Dut Majokdit, said the group will not accept any formation of states government until Olony is appointed.

“SPLM-IO will not form the states government until General Johnson Olony is appointed as Governor of Upper Nile State,” Majokdit said on phone from the South Sudanese capital Juba.

The senior opposition official further reiterated the group’s commitment to the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement signed with government in September 2018, but called for urgent appointment of General Johnson Olony.

“We are committed to peace and stability of this country that’s why the SPLM-IO is calling for an urgent appointment of General Johnson as the Governor for Malakal,” he said.