Demonstrations Held In Rumbek Against The Removal Of Governor

This article was last updated on May 25, 2022

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Lakes state youth activist and various women association converged in Rumbek Central County to stage demonstrations but the sacked governor Chol Tong Mayay objected the decision to protest on the move taken by president Kiir.

“There is no point for people to go out and to demonstrate against the president’s decision. We are one team, we are one nation, we are people of South Sudan to save public interest. The people of Lakes State had elected me in 2010 election and the same people who elected president Kiir. We are still a team to save the nation. Our aim in the party is to fulfil the expectation of the people of South Sudan,” said Mayay.

Youth leaders and women representatives expressed disappointment over the dismissal of elected governor.

There are mixed reactions from public and politicians within Lakes state.

Some politician appreciated the decision taken by president while others objected and described it as “unlawful.”

Some politicians in Lakes State are accusing Juba politicians for having mislead the president to remove governor Mayay.

“I am so much disappointed because [the] president himself is not even doing enough to protect South Sudan territory from Khartoum. Can we [the] public of Lakes State sack president Kiir because he failed to help us from aggression and lack of hospital with more empty promises,” said Yar Makuei.

Philip Ater, a student said that president had made a surprise relieve and questions remain upon on who will be better to lead Rumbek.

“Now Mr. President has killed the public dream to dismiss the elected governor…we are confused by this decision made by president. Let the president speedily bring a person of his choice to lead Lakes State,” Ater said.

He said there are more promises which are not being fulfilled by the president in Lakes State including the delivery of education and security for all.

He said the dismissal of the governor is unexpected but Rumbek must stick to its objective to develop like other states in South Sudan.

South Sudanese student’s representatives in other countries expressed their anger towards the removal of an elected governor without consultations.

The president sacked the governor and replaced him with his deputy Mabor Achol Kuer as acting governor until further notice, according to a presidential decree broadcasted by the State owned South Sudan Television (SSTV) on Monday night.

The decree did not mention any reason which necessitated removal of the elected governor and no official statement from either the office of the president or office of the minister of information and broadcasting.

Members feel the sacking was necessitated by the recently clashes within Rumbek Central County where 25 civilians were killed and clashes between SPLA and armed civilians which resulted into dead of seven SPLA soldiers. 

In 2010, general elections, Mayay was controversially elected into the office in 2010 after winning official endorsement of his candidature by the country’s governing Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) party.

He received overwhelming support at the ballot, winning 228,080 votes, representing 86.54% of casted votes.