SPLM Bans SPLM-DC Political Activities in South Sudan

The SPLM-DC opposed directives issued by south Sudan government's presidential affairs minister, Luka Biong, on behalf of the President of south Sudan government and SPLM chairman, First Lt Gen. Salva Kiir, to all south Sudan states' governors ordering them not to cooperate with SPLM-DC and obstruct its political activities in the south.

At a press conference he held yesterday, SPLM-DC leader, Dr. Lam Akol said that his party had notified the head of the council of political parties' affairs and handed him a copy of a letter dated November 9th regarding the directives to ban his party activities in south Sudan; indicating the harassments his party has faced since its establishment. Akol considered SPLM's actions as contravening the constitution and law, adding that his party has run out of means to deal with SPLM actions whch he termed as violation of constitutional powers.

Akol threatened to resort to the Supreme Court considering it a judicial authority in the country to stop SPLM practices. He further affirmed that his party would not turn to regional or international organizations. He attributed SPLM's actions to incapability of promoting good governance in the south as well as failure to disarm militias, which lead to widespread inter-ethnic clashes.

Akol indicated the weakness of south Sudan government and lack of control, which culminated into chaos across the region. "It is regrettable to hear Salva use different rhetoric," he lamented, adding that Salva Kiir sometimes calls for attractive unity and on other occasions openly calls for secession.

Akol affirmed his party would take Kiir's statements seriously, blaming SPLM for not capitalizing on its presence in the national unity government to propose its political and economic platform for Sudan.

The SPLM-DC leader wondered about the wisdom of directing states governors in the South to not cooperate with his party. "Has a political party leader the right to ban activities of a political party?" he asked. He also questioned whether the president of south Sudan, the first -vice president has the right to violate the constitution to work outside the law, affirming his party's constitutional right to operate in the south whether SPLM likes it or not. He argued that the letter is in blatant violation of the constitution and Article 29 relating to freedoms as well as the Articles 31, 40.

Source: http://www.sudanvisiondaily.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=51669