Political Maturity in Awiel a Lesson for Bor

By Philip Thon Aleu, Juba

January 28, 2015 (SSB) — This week, two interesting events depict the characteristics of some South Sudanese politicians. One incident is the protest by women in Bor, calling for resignation of caretaker governor John Kong Nyuon. The women outlined their grievances that portrays Kong as “rebels sympathizer.”

To make their case good, one women told my colleague in Bor on a recorder that the caretaker governor allow salaries to be transferred to rebel controlled areas but at the same time, restricting those government employees in Bor to receive their pay by setting up “payment committee” for three months.

To me this group of women has a case. Unfortunately, I don’t think they have the gut to remove the governor.

The second political incident comes from Northern Bar El Ghazal state. On Monday, MPs in Awiel voted to impeach caretaker governor Kuel Aguer Kuel. The MPs outlined seven points that I can summarized as nepotism, corruption and unconstitutional leadership.

In respond caretaker governor refused to leave office. When I called him on Tuesday to ask if he was leaving office his respond was simple:

“It should be the president to tell me to leave the office… Second, the process of impeachment has not been completed,” he said. “Until it is completed, I am still the legitimate care-taking governor of Northern Bar el Ghazal state with all my constitutional powers.”

I am not going to talk about the reasons therein for the two situations. I am interested in the behaviors of the two camps: Bor and Awiel. In my own view, Awiel strategy is the best option. Instead of sending women to street to protest and oust caretaker Kong Nyuon, those hiding Bor politicians should make their case politically. When I say politically, I mean politically.

In Awiel, for example, caretaker Kuel Aguer, has no serious case like the one in Bor. Though he is also accused of being a “rebel sympathizer” like his Jonglei’s counterpart, there is nothing provided to proof this claim. He said he was surprised those MPs are not telling the truth and he went ahead to accuse some people of being unhappy with his efforts to fight corruption.

I have no evident to suspect that senior politicians in Bor are the force behind these women but I am made to believe so because once Kong leave office, who will take over?

The answer is simple: Bor governor because only Bor, Twic East and Duk counties are areas caretaker is in charge. Don’t tell me Pibor or Akobo.

Instead of using traditional politics of campaigning underground, the Bor politicians should be brave enough to call spade a spade. Or else, ask these women to return to their homes and concentrate on what will benefit them most.

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