SPLM-IO rejects formation of state governments before General Olony’s appointment
First Vice President and SPLM-IO leader Dr. Riek Machar addresses a press conference jointly with President Salva Kiir (not seen) at the State House in Juba, on February 20, 2020 (Photo: via Getty Images)
JUBA – South Sudan’s main armed opposition group, SPLM-IO, has said that it will not accept the formation of state governments before the appointment of its nominee, General Johnson Olony, as governor for oil-rich Upper Nile state.
Olony, a controversial figure in the South Sudan’s civil war which ended in February, was nominated by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar who is also the leader of the main armed opposition group to the state gubernatorial position in June.
But President Salva Kiir’s side rejected Olony’s appointment saying the opposition commander is a war monger who would stir up tensions between the already bitter communities in the oil-rich state.
Speaking to Sudans Post this afternoon, Dut Majokdit, a senior member of the SPLM-IO who is in Juba said the main armed opposition group will not accept the formation of the state governments unless President Salva Kiir agreed to appoint Olony as nominated by his group.
“We will not accept the formation of the state governments unless President Kiir appoint Olony as we nominated him,” the senior opposition official said non phone from Juba.
Majokdit said the parties have agreed to the allocation of the states executive and he said it is high-time for Olony to be appointed so as he attend a workshop expected in the next few days with his other colleagues from other states.
“We believe that it is high time for President Kiir to show leadership and appoint Olony. As we are committed to the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement, we believe that President Kiir should do the same,” he said.
“We came to Juba to work with Kiir in good faith and he should also do the same in return,” he further added.