SPLM-IO reiterates call for Kiir to appoint Olony before Upper Nile conference

JUBA – South Sudan’s main armed opposition group, SPLM-IO, has once again urged President Salva Kiir Mayardit to appoint General Johnson Olony Thabo as governor of the country’s oil-rich Upper Nile state saying the opposition commander should be appoint before the planned Upper Nile state communities’ conference is conducted.

Olony was nominated by Machar for Upper Nile state governor in June 2020, but was not appointed along with nine other states governors appointed by President Salva Kiir Mayardit on June 2019, saying the opposition commander is a warmonger who would jeopardize reconciliation efforts among the bitter Upper Nile state communities.

Speaking to Sudans Post on Saturday, Puok Both Baluang, the SPLM-IO Director of Information and Public Relations said the group is still waiting for General Olony’s appointment saying it should come before the Upper Nile state conference due in Juba in the next few weeks.

“We are still waiting for the appointment of General Johnson Olony because it should happen before the beginning of the conference so that he can attend with his people, the communities of Upper Nile state so that they can contribute in that conference so that they move forward on how to form the government in the state and also how to bring peace and stability and harmony so that peace can return to Upper Nile state,” Baluang said.

“We also urge President Salva Kiir Mayardit to expedite his appointment because it is part of the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement particularly the chapter of the governance because now Upper Nile state has no governor and we think the appointment of General Johnson Olony will reflect positively the delivery of services to the people of Upper Nile state and the return of IDPs from the POCs in Malakal and the return of the refugees that took refuge in neighboring countries such as Ethiopia and Sudan,” he added.

The senior opposition official further said the group “believes that it is very important for the parties because in general, the implementation of the agreement is moving on very slowly and that is not suitable for the process of building peace and how we can restore our social fabric and will also help on how to end the suffering of our people in general.”