By William Madouk Garang
The ruling party, SPLM members of National Liberation Council has endorsed the nomination of the Vice President for Economic Cluster, Dr. James Wani Igga as the First Deputy Chairman of the party replacing Dr. Riek Machar who reneged.
Daniel Awet Akot and Kuol Manyang Juuk were also elected as deputy chairpersons after the chairman Salva Kiir, while Peter Lam Both was installed as the party’s Secretary General, a successor to Pagan Amum Okiech, followed by two deputies.
These nominated members of Political Bureau and National Liberation Council were supposed to be sworn-in yesterday but due to some unfinished tasks they are scheduled to take their oath today.
SPLM Secretary for Political Affairs, Kuol Atem Bol who relayed the message from the chairman’s office said the meeting had to be adjourned because there were ‘some documents not prepared’.
“One [of the issues] is the swearing of the new three deputy’s chairmen, Secretary general plus two deputies and new members of political bureau and NLC,” said Atem.
“That exercise requires a lot of construction of articles, it cannot be done today, it requires people to go and sit down and formulate all these, this is why we adjourned it to tomorrow [today],” he continued.
He said that the endorsement of the deputy chairperson by the SPLM party confirmed that the duo – Machar and Amum are no more members, asserting that the structure of the party is now complete.
“The new appointment of the first deputy chairman which was a position being held by Dr. Riek Machar, now it has become Comrade James Wani Igga who is the first deputy chairman plus other two Daniel Awet and Kuol Manyang. So, the whole structure of the Political bureau is complete” .
Mr. Atem further said that as a party they have waited for six good years for the two men to return but they instead formed their own political parties.
“We have gone now for six years and once you are rebel against the party, you don’t need decree to be relieved, automatically you have relieved yourself,” he added. “Riek Machar has rebelled against the SPLM, why should he continue to be deputy chair again while he has gone and established his own party called SPLM-IO?”
Participants of NLC too are expected to pass the basic documents of SPLM which are; the code of conduct, disciplinary procedures and the SPLM financial management rules and regulations.
The list covers national ministers, members of parliament, and other figures from the party’s bigwigs.
President Salva Kiir Mayardit leads the list of the members of the political organ followed by the Vice President for Economic Cluster – Dr. James Wani Igga.
Among those shortlisted also are government Chief Whips, Rebecca Joshua Okwaci and the presidential advisor on security affairs, Tut Gatluak, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, the Minister of Presidential Affairs.
As well as the Minister of Environment and Forestry, Josephine Napwon, Daniel Awet Akot, Kuol Manyang Juuk, Jemma Nunu Kumba, Deng Alor Kuol, and Taban Deng Gai.
The others are: Kosti Manibe Ngai, Rin Tueny Mabor, Benjamin Bol Mel, Margaret Mathiang Deang, Stephen Dhieu Dau, David Yau Yau, Tulio Odongi, Mark Nyipuoch Ubang, Africano Mande, Kuol Athian Mawien, Angelo Ugwaag Arun, Rizik zackaria Hassan, Mary Apai and Tor Deng Mawien.
Simon Kun Puoch, Nhial Deng Nhial, Margaret Leonardo Itto, Rebecca Nyandeng Mabior, John Koang Nyuon, Awut Deng Achuil, Paul Mayom Akec, Akol Paul Kordit, Abocha Ali Malou.