Upper Nile conference not a ploy to replace General Olony – Machar aide

JUBA – South Sudan’s main armed opposition group, SPLM-IO, is saying that planned general conference between Upper Nile state communities in Juba is not meant to replace its gubernatorial nominee for the oil-rich state, saying it won’t even accept a replacement being discussed.

Yesterday, South Sudan presidency in a meeting attended by President Salva Kiir, his first deputy Dr. Riek Machar Teny and the other four vice-presidents, resolved to go ahead with formation of nine state governments with exception of Upper Nile state pending a general conference in Juba which a statement from the presidency said would be held in the capital to resolve communal issues before appointment of a governor for the state.

Some social media activists have speculated that the meeting may end up with General Johnson Olony being replaced, causing anger among many SPLA-IO supporters who said the government of President Salva Kiir Mayardit is not in good terms with the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement.

However, speaking o Sudans Post in an inclusive interview on Thursday, Dut Majokdit, a member of the SPLM-IO National Liberation Council (NLC), said General Johnson Olony will remain SPLM-IO’s preferred candidate for the Upper Nile governorship position.

“For those of you who take it as if Olony is going to be replaced in the conference, it is not true. For us, we welcome the resolution of the Presidency to held conference in Juba, but this conference doesn’t mean that we are going to replace Olony. Gen. Olony should remain as the nominee of SPLM-IO,” Dut told one of the Sudans Post reporters in Juba.

The senior opposition official who is also former advisor for Northern Bahr el Ghazal state government in opposition however welcomed the presidency decision to hold a conference for the oil rich state, describing it as a great step for reconciliation of the bitter Upper Nile state communities.

“It was resolved that the conference will be held in Juba, and that conference will bring all the communities of Upper Nile State to dialogue among themselves and address their grievances,” he said.

The official revealed that Apadang as a community does not have a problem with appointment of General Olony but pointed accusing finger at unidentified individuals he said are holding some grudges against the main armed opposition group.

“I don’t think there is a problem in Upper Nile state,” he said. “It is only Apadang who is saying that Olony is threatening them. I don’t see that as logic because there is no one community that can reject the appointment of the governor nominated by a certain party. It is not even all Apadang but there are individuals within the community who have personal problems with General Olony,” Dut expressed.