Olony, a controversial opposition commander, was nominated for governor of Upper Nile state by Dr. Riek Machar, the SPLM-IO leader and First Vice President of South Sudan, on June 24, along with two other colleagues.
Kiir however refused to appoint Olony, saying he is a warmonger who he said would hamper reconciliation efforts among the people of Upper Nile state and who are already divided along ethnic lines.
Speaking to Sudans Post on Friday, SPLM-IO director of information, Puok Both Baluang, said the main armed opposition group wants Olony to be appointed before the conference commence so he can take part in the reconciliation process among the Upper Nile state communities.
“We think the appointment of General Johnson Olony should not wait for the conference to take place based on the reasons that we have mentioned,” the senior opposition official who is now in Juba told Sudans Post on phone.
“We urge President Salva to expedite the appointment of General Johnson Olony so that he can attend this conference with his people, the people of Upper Nile state, to share with them his thoughts on how to govern the state during the transitional period and how to transform the state from the state of war it has been during the previous years to a state of peace,” he said.
The senior opposition official further stressed that there shouldn’t be any link between Olony’s appointment and the conference.
“There shouldn’t be any link regarding the appointment of General Olony with this conference because the conference is only for reconciliation it is mentioned in that press statement made by the minister in the office of the president,” he said.
Very correct. Olony is not a warmonger like some generals in kiir camp. He must be appointed. 🇸🇸
Johnsonagau4613@gmail.com
Johnson must be appointed as governor,if this government means peace,why give powers to IO on nomination in the agreement