Machar-nominated Yirol West commissioner resigns over ‘intimidation, and security threats’  

JUBA – South Sudan’s opposition-nominated commissioner of Lakes State’s Yirol West County, Andrew Acheng Anhiem, has resigned from his position saying he is under intimidation and threats from Governor Rin Tueny Mabor.

Acheng was appointed by President Salva Kiir Mayardit when he reconstituted the government of Lakes State last year on the ticket of the main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition led by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar.

But disagreements between the commissioner and the state governor, a member of President Kiir’s ruling SPLM party, have stayed as stumbling barrier to working together in a way that ease his work.

In a statement, he thanked President Kiir and FVP Machar for appointing him into the position, but said he was humiliated in front of the public during a function at the freedom square in Yirol by security forces loyal to governor Tueny.

“In reference to the aforementioned subject, I want to take this opportunity to thank your Excellency Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon for the trust you have bestowed on me to serve in the Reconstituted Lakes State Transitional Government of National Unity as a Commissioner. On the same terms, I equally thank H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, The president of the Republic of South Sudan for effecting my appointment a year ago,” he said.

“Your Excellency, it has been two months since I was humiliated as the sitting Commissioner in Yirol Freedom square and arbitrarily arrested, put behind bar in Baburzeit Military Prison and forced out of the County by Governor Rin Tueny,” he added.

He revealed that First Vice President Machar had requested to see the governor of Lakes several times without success, making it possible to resolve the stalemate between the commissioner and the governor.

“To the best of my knowledge, before the incident of my arrests occur, your office have tried to resolve our administrative differences with Governor Rin Tueny Mabor, but the cooperation remains staggering,” he said.

“I’m also aware you have requested the Governor several times to your office, which he turndown, violating your call as the First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan, and Head of Governance Cluster of the R-TGONU, that alone talk volumes on how my cooperation will be with the governor as I serve under his administration,” he added.

He further said that “after having given enough time waiting to seek an amicable political solution and to no avail, I hereby decided to resign in Lakes State Government and Particularly Yirol West County as a Commissioner under the administration of Governor Rin Tueny Mabor because of the following reasons as hereunder.”

Some of the reasons he mentioned regarding his resignation include “Unlawfully arrested and Humiliated me” and unilateral appointment of his deputy, being denied right to use commissioner’s house, “sabotage and responsibility interference” as well as intimidation and security threats.”

He said the governor has constantly ordered the arrest of SPLM-IO members in the state and has also ordered search of his residence without crucial reason adding that his decision to resign is “to allow a chance for the people of Yirol to have another commissioner who will serve them at this critical time of peace implementation.”

“The County has been without a Commissioner which has created a constitutional gap. As SPLM-IO yearns for reforms, peace and stability of this country, it is my obligation that I relinquish my position for the betterment of Yirol Citizens.”