By Bida Elly David
Sudan People’s Liberation in Opposition (SPLM-IO) has condemned the statement issued by the cabinet affairs minister, Martin Elia Lomuro blaming Angelina on the account of failing to implement deployment and graduation of the unified forces noting that the claims were baseless.
On Monday, minister Lomuro tied Angelina’s sacking from the defense docket to leadership incompetence and delay in the implementation of the transitional security arrangement, a sentiment the IO has refuted.
In a rebuttal statement from the office of first vice president Dr. Riek Machar, the SPLM-IO rubbished the claims against the former defense minister and instead praised her of the success in the graduation of the first phase unified forces arose due to the efforts made by Angelina.
“The feet dragging in the implementation of the Transitional Security Arrangements should not be blamed on Hon. Angelina Teny. The fact is had it not been for Hon. Angelina’s commitment and consistent efforts, the first batch of the Necessary Unified Forces would not have been graduated. Indeed, she was instrumental in the process,” Machar office stated.
The main opposition SPLM-IO slammed minister Lomuro for failing to make in-depth consultation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement especially the article that mandates parties to the agreement to remove and nominate their representatives in the government.
“The Cabinet Minister may have not consulted the Revitalized Peace Agreement correctly by saying an “official notification letter was given.” Rather, the Revitalized Peace Agreement states it very clear in Article 1.13. that “each party may remove its representatives in the Council of Ministers and nominate replacements by notifying the President with at least fourteen (14) days’ notice,’’ it added.
The SPLM-IO further condemned the removal of Angelina by the president decree terming it as an out of context decision made by the head of the state without proper consultation of the accord especially Article 1.13.2 which mandates replacement of any minister by the top leadership body as a whole.
“On the replacement, it is also clear in Article 1.13.2. Which states that “In the event that the Ministerial post falls vacant during the Transitional Period, the replacement shall be nominated by the top leadership body of the party that first selected that Ministerial portfolio, as appointed at the commencement of the transition? The replacement Minister shall serve in office until the end of the Transitional Period. It is not by official letter of notice,” it reads
They said that it was not the letter that defines removal of a minister rather the agreement that mandated each party to the agreement to nominate a candidate stating that what had happened was absolutely serious incident of violation of the Peace Agreement and equally a violation in the swapping of the two ministries.
SPLM-IO dismissed Lomuro’s argument on the ground that “President Kiir removed Angelina Teny for him to be able to give orders that cannot be rejected by anybody below his power as the Commander in Chief of all the organized forces across the country.
“The question is, is the President going to be the Defense Minister by saying that? And if it is about the performance of Hon. Minister Angelina, had it not been for her hard work and commitment to peace, the Necessary Unified Forces would not have been graduated. Her performance is better than many other Ministers in other ministries,” SPLM-IO stressed.
The opposition further hinted that Angelina worked hard for reforms in the army and pushed for implementation of the security arrangements, adding unless she is a victim of her tremendous performances.
On the other hand, the opposition also condemned Michael Makuei’s statement in which he was quoted as saying the president has the “authority fire and hire” stating that it was not in line with the provisions of the Revitalized Peace
“The president has the right to remove the Minister of Defense even the First Vice President was appointed by him. We would like to make it crystal clear to the general public that the President has no right to replace or appoint a minister from another party without a consultation or being notified by the leader of the party concerned in 14 days’ notice. He only makes formality to appoint a nominee given to him by the concerned party,” they said.
The IO reminded South Sudanese at large that, the Revitalized Agreement is the current supreme document in South Sudan until a permanent constitution is enacted.
“The entire Presidency which is composed of the President, the First Vice President, and the other four Vice Presidents, the Council of Ministers, the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) and the Council of States, were established by this Revitalized Peace Agreement. It is the agreement that gives legitimacy to the Executive, the Assembly,” Machar mouthpiece said.