Former official calls for political reconciliation in Jonglei State

By Manyuon Mayen Manyuon, Juba

The former Chairperson of South Sudan’s Jonglei State Investment Authority has called for political reconciliation among the ruling party’s (SPLM) members in Bor Town.

John Achiek Tiopich, said the ongoing ruling party’s political riot was not constructive and it cannot move the State forward.

“The division cannot help us in Jonglei State. It cannot instead take us backward nor does it build peace, so I need our leaders and politicians to consider where the State is heading to.  

“Therefore, I am calling on the SPLM leaders and elders particularly from Greater Bor to intervene and make political reconciliation among the members of the SPLM who are in chaos,” Mr. Tiopich narrated.

Earlier May, the Jonglei State deputy Governor, who is the chairperson of the ruling party SPLM in the state un-procedurally, sacked the Town Mayor following some allegations traded against him, the move was later rejected by the governor who maintained the Mayor intact.  

The dismissal came days after alleged petition addressed to President Kiir accused the deputy governor of division within SPLM party in the State.

That petition against Amb. Antipas Nyok was believed to have been written by some SPLM party members loyal to the Town’s Mayor in Bor.

It further accused the party’s Interim Chairperson of turning the State’s SPLM Chapter into a family or relatives organization.

After a week later, the deputy governor was alleged to have directed the arrest of 38 SPLM former politicians and members who do not hold constitutional mandates now.  

But the second top official dismissed the claim later, citing that it was a misinformation.

However, last week, the SPLM members at Jonglei State’s Parliament called for the removed of Governor Denay Jock Chagor, accusing him of causing chaos within the SPLM party though he isn’t a member.

Perhaps, the President is yet to respond to the call,

Mr. Tiopich however asked the SPLM party’s legislators to revoke the statement and apologize to the Governor, citing that such avowal wasn’t in the interest of peace.  

“I am calling on the Assembly’s legislators from SPLM side to apologize to the governor with immediate effect. The case was not the governor and the state. It was not a division between the governor and deputy governor. The case is SPLM among itself alone,” he said.

According to the official, the elders and leaders of Greater Bor should get involved and reconcile the members of SPLM in the State.

He said the reconciliation was the only way to get rid of the prevailing political challenges in the State.

“I want to advise our people (SPLM members) that if there is a disagreement within our party, let’s not jump to other parties because the current officials are mandated by the peace agreement.

“And this is what we are supposed to respect. We should respect it as it is being respected in Juba especially by the Presidency, but if we just keep on jumping from party to party calling for members to be removed then that’s wrong,” Mr. Tiopich reiterated.  

The official believed that if the party’s wrangle in Bor Town wasn’t resolved; it will derail the peace agreement being implemented in the State.

He concluded that the relationship between South Sudan Opposition (SSOA) where Governor Denay Jock Chagor hails from and SPLM where Amb. Antipas Nyok originated would only be enhanced by the peace accord under implementation.