Governor of Twic State Bona Panek says he has not met any politicians in his state lobbying for appointments on the ticket of the Sudan People’s Liberation in Opposition (SPLM-IO) under Riek Machar.
Twic State is one of the states that Salva Kiir created by decree in two steps last October and December in place of the 10 constitutionally states. East African bloc IGAD has called on the government to suspend further steps to implement the creation of the new states.
“I have not met, not even single politician from the SPLM-IO lobbying for any position in the government of Twic state,” said Bona Panek on Monday.
Nonetheless, Machar’s SPLM-IO is entitled to 15% of positions in the state executive, according to the terms of the August 2015 peace deal.
“Of course they will be appointed in line with the terms of the peace agreement and when the states are directed by the national leadership to implement the agreement, Twic State will comply with the directives from higher authorities. People need peace and this is what the president has been telling all the governors whenever we meet with him,” he said.
Panek said his state was ready to receive and provide adequate security to the members of the advance of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM –IO) who wants to go to the area to disseminate peace implementation and its importance in the society and in the country.
File photo: A draft plan for the 28 states labeled Twic State “Kiir State” after President Savla Kiir.
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