The President of the Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS), Patrick Oyet, has acknowledged that his administration had not fulfilled its constitutional obligation to organize an Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Oyet explained that when he assumed office three years ago, UJOSS had only US$300 in its account and no office.
“General Assembly Meeting is a genuine call and we totally agree with those calling for it. According to our constitution, we are supposed to have a general assembly every year,” Oyet said.
“We failed to do so because, when we went to UJOSS, we only had $300 in our account. We didn’t even have an office—so you can imagine if you don’t have an office, what is going to be a priority: is it the AGM or having an office? Our priority has been to establish an office, have offices across the country, and then we move to things like the AGM,” he explained.
Oyet further mentioned that UJOSS relies on donor funding, which has not been forthcoming. He estimated that the AGM would cost between $20,000 and $30,000, as it involves assembling delegates from the 10 states and the 3 administrative areas, and covering the travel and the accommodation expenses.
“Tickets are expensive; places that used to cost $100 are now $150, except maybe Torit. We have to prepare for accommodation for days, sometimes even for a week,” he added.
George Ruot, a journalist and former Program Coordinator for UJOSS, has accused the current leadership of corruption, mismanagement of funds, altering the union’s constitution, and failing to convene a general assembly for three years.
UJOSS has refuted the claims, maintaining that they were working to address the financial and the organizational issues.
Oyet said that the AGM would be held before the end of the year despite the challenges.