By Yiep Joseph
Former Deputy Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs, David Yau Yau, took oath as Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) political Bureau (PB) and National Liberation Council (NLC) member, promising never to leave the party.
The PB and NLC are the top decision-making bodies of the SPLM, with powers to elect new chairpersons of the party.
Recently, President Salva Kiir, who is also the chairman of the SPLM, appointed David Yau Yau as a member of the party’s PB and NLC, respectively.
This comes after David Yau Yau rejoined the party, having left the opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) that he joined in April this year.
In his address after taking oath as SPLM member of PB and NLC as well, David Yau Yau appreciated President Salva Kiir for appointing him to these highest party bodies despite his rebellion records.
“I would like to extend my actual thanks and appreciation to our Chairman, Comrade Salva Kiir Mayardit, the chairman, and the President of the Republic for the trust he put in me to once again reinstate me back to the political Breau position despite all political irregularities,” Yau said.
He vowed not to leave the party again and promised to work hand in hand with the SPLM leadership for the success of the party.
“I wholeheartedly accept the trust and reinstatement all together and promise to move our beloved SPLM party forward,” he said.
Yau Yau expressed that SPLM remains a major party loved by the masses, adding that he would engage in the transformation of the party.
He appreciated President Salva Kiir for the continuous engagement of the party members with the hope of joining hands and develop the country.
He revealed that his return to the party would not be a surprise, adding that many members who defected would continue to come.
“Somebody said before that Yau Yau has come back again; we will still come back again and again and again,” he said.
He added that there is a need to strengthen the party at the grassroots to increase recruitment and trust in the party.
He called on members to contribute funds for the party to facilitate and easy party activities.
He called on the SPLM leadership to use the extended period to carry out massive mobilization before the election date.
On his part, the Presidential Senior Advisor and SPLM deputy Chairman, Kuol Manyang urged David Yau Yau to remain committed to the party, as he promised never to return or leave the party.
“You (David Yau Yau) told me before this is the final and you will never defect again,” Kuol expressed.
He called on the members to remain committed to the party.
He urged Yau Yau to read the constitution, mission, and vision of the party, citing that those are the guiding documents for the party.