Jonglei Civil Society Network (JCSN), an alliance of several civil society groups in Jonglei, has suspended one of its members for criticizing the impeachment of the state labor minister by the state parliamentarians in May 23.
In a document dated May 25 and seen by Radio Tamazuj, Jonglei Arts and Music Association (JAMA) rejected the impeachment of labor minister Thon Simon, saying it a wrong decision.
JAMA, in its letter also called on the state lawmakers to revoke the impeachment saying minister’s work was in the interest of the people of Jonglei state.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday, John Achiek, the alliance’s information secretary said they suspended JAMA until further notice after a meeting of an eight-member executive body last week.
“JAMA membership with JCSN is suspended until further notice because of its involvement in government affairs. The move undermines impartiality of JCSN as a civil society. JAMA should have not implicated civil society as a whole in their press release,” he said.
For his part, Deng Majok, the acting chairperson of JAMA condemned their suspension by the alliance’s executive body saying they were acting on individual interest.
He pointed out that his group will challenge the suspension legally.
“As JAMA we have nothing to do but we will take a legal action against the network. So far, we have consulted an advocate on the matter because there was no ground for our suspension, “Deng said.
In May 23, Jonglei lawmakers voted to impeach the state labor minister, accusing him of defaming the state.