WAU - 6 Nov 2015

SPLM, USAP parties disagree over 'Wau state' governor nominee

Differences have emerged between members of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) in South Sudan’s Western Bahr al Ghazal State and the United Sudanese African Party (USAP) over nomination of a governor for the proposed Wau State.

The row was reportedly triggered by the nomination of Elias Waya by USAP leader Joseph Okello. Waya, who is a member of the SPLM and hails from the same Luo community as does Okello.

The proposed Wau state comprises Wau and Jur River counties and is one of two states carved from Western Bahr el Ghazal according to President Salva Kiir's "Establishment Order" which he announced last month.

Several SPLM politicians from Wau County and Luo community denounced the position taken by the USAP leader to nominate somebody from their party.

Justin Moses Ugodo, member of the SPLM Liberation Council in Jur River County, described the move as tribal, saying the nomination was supposed to be done through SPLM party structures.

“We cannot allow somebody to nominate our member," he said.

Okello denied wrongdoing. He said he received the nomination from members of his community during a meeting at his house in Wau town.

“The group that met in my house, they came to me because I am the leader of the Luo tribe, I am the prominent politician, and I haven’t invited them,” he said. “They came and told me that you are our elder and a political leader and member of the Luo community, we have come to tell you that we have already nominated someone to be appointed as governor by the President."

He explained that the community nominated people who they think can be good leaders in the proposed state. Okello pointed out that the Luo community was following the example of state governor Rizig Zachariah who already presented three candidates to the President.

Those candidates were current deputy governor Zachariah Joseph, adviser Awiel Longar, and Angelo Taban, Okello said.

In late October, Rizig warned politicians tribal divisions in Western Bahr el Ghazal over the gubernatorial position for the proposed Wau State.