By William Madouk
Former press secretary in the Office of the President, Ateny Wek Ateny, expressed dissatisfaction over the interruption by national security officials that led to the cancellation of Twic Mayardit community elections.
On Sunday, security personnel believed to be members of the national security service interrupted Twic Mayardit elections leading to postponement.
That brings the adjournment of the Twic Mayardit community in Juba for the second time in a row, without clear information over who might be behind the disruption of community elections.
Ateny questioned the rationale behind the decision, asking what specific security threat a local community election could pose to national stability.
“Where did the fear of violence that led to this suspicion come from? Who is fearing being victimized and who is the perceived perpetrator/s?” he interrogated.
“Nevertheless, what went wrong in Twic Mayardit’s election being postponed repeatedly, without valid reasons was an exceedingly uncivilized act of the fear of unknown,” he added.
He said the Twic Mayardit community stands as an example to many communities in exercising their democratic rights, while others are still grappling to no avail.
The former press secretary cited that, he had attended all candidates’ debates and counter-debates, attesting that it was a peaceful and mature electoral competition.
“Both men were exceedingly frank and excellent debaters. They didn’t insult themselves or even to utter a single word that projected a sense of division amongst Mayardit’s sons/daughters,” Ateny continued.
Ateny pondered over why a mere community election is made difficult when the whole nation is yearning for multi-party democratic exercise.
“If it is politicking to blame, then who is playing this music? Can I say some Mayardit’s own sons and daughters were to blame for postponements, or someone somewhere is feeling insecure seeing Mayardit out of inequity of our communities’ elections predicament,” he stated.
“Why send members of one of the best attempts to institutionalize institution (the National Security Service) to close a mere community election? On whose orders: the Governor Kuol Mur or Gen. Akol Koor?”
Mr Ateny appealed to the governor of Warrap and the Director of National security to allow the Twic Mayardit community to conduct their elections, adding candidates must concede defeat if they are not elected.