Parliamentary committee arrives in Aweil after political crisis
A parliamentary committee headed by Daniel Awet Akot has arrived in Aweil town of Northern Bahr el Ghazal state Friday morning to investigate the political crisis after the state's assembly had lost trust in the leadership of caretaker governor Kuel Aguer Kuel recently.
On 27 January, members of Northern Bahr el Ghazal parliament passed a vote of no confidence against Caretaker Governor Kuel Aguer Kuel shortly after a dispute broke out within the ruling SPLM party involving Kuel's predecessor General Paul Malong Awan.
The Caretaker Governor did not recognize the impeachment vote, and security forces under the command of Northern Bahr el Ghazal Police Commissioner Major General Akot Deng, a Malong ally, deployed around Aweil. Akot's men rounded up Kuel's allies before their leader stood down and fled the town following the arrival of SPLA troops.
A member of the state’s assembly confirmed to Radio Tamazuj that the committee has already arrived in Aweil, but there was no any official meeting held.
“I can tell you that there is no any official meeting up to now. And after the meeting you can talk to the State Speaker himself, or the Speaker may refer you to the chairperson of information,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of Northern Bahr el Ghazal Assembly Isaac Makau said the committee had arrived and that they were received by him at the airport.
He indicated that the committee headed by Daniel Awet Akot comprises of leading SPLM members and members of the Council of State as well as the National Legislative Assembly.
When asked whether the committee will be able to resolve the political crisis in the state. The speaker denied any political problem in the state.
“The visiting committee will tell us what they are going to talks about exactly," he said.
He further said the impeachment of the government is constitutional and that the care taker governor has already gone.
“So this thing should not be debated again, if the committee wants to challenge the decision it should go to the Supreme Court” he challenged.
Related:
General Akot Deng accused of making power grab in Aweil before standing down his forces (29 Jan.)