Foreigner of Ugandan origin appointed into South Sudan parliament

JUBA — A foreign lady of Ugandan origin has been appointed into the newly reconstituted South Sudan Transitional National Legislative Assembly, according to documents obtained by Sudans Post.

Ms Afekuru Animu who was dismissed by First Vice President Taban Deng Gai’s office in 2018 following media reports was appointed last week by President Salva Kiir Mayardit on the ticket of OPP led by Peter Mayen Majongdit.

Unconfirmed reports also said she was dismissed at some points few years ago by the Japanese embassy.

Her appointment came as a surprise to the community of Lujule Payam of Morobo County of Central Equatoria state Animu now represents in parliament.

In a statement, the community said the person in question does not hail from the area and that they made some investigation as to whether she belongs there, but they said she doesn’t come from their payam.

“After a thorough investigation to know her details, the community found her claims of origination from the Keliko tribe to be false,” reads the statement seen by Sudans Post in part.

“The people of Keliko are not aware of this unfortunate authorization,” the document said of her claim to be from there. “The Keliko Community made several attempts for Animu to prove her lineage but were futile. In November 2018, the Keliko community in Juba summoned Animu to justify her claims but the meeting proved beyond doubt that her claims were false and tarnishing the image of the Keliko people.”