By Bida Elly David
National minister of information, Michael Makuei insists that President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar resolved the deadlock over former Defense Minister, Angelina Teny.
A communiqué of the 14th Ordinary Session, the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government lauded President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar for what they called their “statesmanship and wisdom in amicably resolving the dispute that arose over changes in the Ministry of Defense and Veteran Affairs and the Ministry of Interior.”
Meanwhile, the IGAD communiqué prompted a reaction from the opposition party.
The acting press secretary in the office of the First Vice President, Mr. Puok Both Baluang refuted the IGAD statement, terming it fabricated information.
He urged the SPLM-IO members, supporters, and the Public at large not to succumb to a report he termed “fake news.”
However, government spokesperson, Michael Makuei, downplayed the SPLM-IO agitation over the stalemate.
He insisted that the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), being a regional body, has the full right to compliment the two principals for reaching a consensus.
“The communiqué from the IGAD thanking President Kiir and the first vice president for breaking the deadlock was true,” he told reporters yesterday.
“That was an official communiqué.” We don’t react to what happens on social media,” Makuei argued.
He said that the letter of applause was officially based on conformity and reality, noting that no contradicting party has the full right to create any political confusion.
“Whatever people are saying there that it is not true is another thing. So far, we have not received any letter of objection to what was said because the two parties sat down and agreed,” he added.
Mr. Makuei further echoed that in case of any skepticism from their rivals, they should make the necessary consultations for reality.
However, he did not clarify with whom their rivals should consult on the fact of the letter of compliment.
“If at all there is anybody who is saying that it is not true, then they should come to us and say what was done was not in place, a government spokesperson hinted.
According to Makuei, consensus has been reached between the two principals, and they are peacefully awaiting the appointment of the interior minister as well as the deputy minister of defense to clear off doubts.
“The deputy minister of interior will be relieved, and another minister will be appointed in his place. If there is anything as such, I have no knowledge about it,” he disclosed.