Lawmaker declines position one day after President Kiir appointed him to parliament

JUBA – A South Sudan lawmaker who was appointed on Monday by President Salva Kiir Mayardit into parliament on the ticket of People’s Liberal Party led by OPP leader Peter Mayen Majongdit has issued a statement declining position one day after his appointment.

Thiik Mou Simon says he was appointed on the wrong ticket revealing that he is not loyal to the Mayen-led opposition group and said he is a member of the ruling SPLM faction led by President Salva Kiir Mayardit.

“In the presidential decree read out in the SSBC pertaining the appointment of the National Members of Parliament, in which I am appointed, I would here like to tender in my resignation as a member of parliament with effect from now,” Mou said in the statement seen by Sudans Post.

“I would here like to humbly write this note of my resignation from the parliament and beg that you accept it,” he said, insisting that “I didn’t do the political lobby to be appointed as a member of parliament on the PLP ticket. Although you are my close friend, I haven’t for once lobbied for any political position in PLP.”

“One has to agree to take up the offer after being consulted by he who is giving the offer. Yes, I don’t deny the fact that you did approach me for this offer. In numerous occasions, we have had an informal social gathering and you have always brought this point up. You have always asked me to join you in parliament on the ticket of PLP. I have always turned it down and in many cases, we have always parted unceremoniously. I still hold to that Hon. I am turning down this offer.

“I still hold SPLM membership. Yes, I know PLP and SPLM have common objectives. PLP on the other hand is not a violent political party. It doesn’t have an armed wing. I know you are a political ally to my Chairman, the president. Joining your party thus, doesn’t make one a traitor in the eyes of SPLM. However, the fact remains; I don’t hold any membership of PLP as a political party. So I am not a member of PLP. That, too, is enough reason for my resignation.

“Last but not least, I am not prepared for a political position. I thought I would still turn this offer down if it were offered by SPLM or any other political party. I have had many people pushing me to lobby for a ministerial docket in state government on SPLM ticket but I have always turned down the offer. It looks immature anyway given the fact that politics is perceived as a get way to riches by majority. I therefore want to reiterate it to you that I am still steadfast to that principle. So I am not joining you in parliament on PLP ticket.

“To conclude, I am not betraying your cordial relationship with my chairman, the president of the republic. I can still help both of you in the future if needs be. For now, I have made the decision and request you to accept my resignation in good faith. With effect from the posting of this text, I have turned down the appointment of the president as a national member of Parliament in RTGoNU.”