Lawmaker disowns SPLM-IO after parliamentary appointment, says she belongs to Kiir’s party

JUBA – A senior member of the main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) led by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny is now saying she is not a member of the Machar-led movement after her appointment into the state transitional assembly of Upper Nile state.

Last week, President Salva Kiir Mayardit reconstituted transitional state legislative assembly for four of the country’s ten states, appointing politicians representing SPLM-IO, SSOA, OPP, FDs, into state parliaments of Upper Nile, Western Equatoria, Central Equatoria and the restive Lakes state.

Mariah Ajak Kur, a member of the main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition in Upper Nile state was among those appointed into parliament of the oil-rich Upper Nile state.

But the opposition lawmaker who is also the Chairperson of Women’s Union of Renk County now says she is not a member of the Machar-led movement and that she belongs to the ruling SPLM party led by President Salva Kiir Mayardit and that she was surprised by the decree appointing her as a member of the SPLM-IO.

“Last week, I was appointed as a member of the Upper Nile state assembly for the SPLM – IO seat. I want to confirm to my people that I don’t have any relation with this party and am denouncing this appointment,” Mariam said on Wednesday, according to the Juba-based Eye Radio.

“I have been loyal to SPLM since forever and I want to confirm that I am not a member of SPLM–IO.  I am a member of SPLM. I rejected this appointment because I don’t know any person there in the SPLM – IO and even they did not consult me when my name appeared there as the seat of IO of Renk County. I got shocked because I didn’t have any communication with them,” she added.