The Deputy Governor of Jonglei State, Jacob Akech Dengdit on Tuesday rejected the call by protestors to remove Samuel Ateny Pech as Bor County Commissioner.
“The government of SPLM has reshuffled its side of the government and everybody is going to be sworn in according to the rules and laws of South Sudan,” Akech told The Juba Echo in an interview.
He said the protestors who took to the streets on Monday accusing Ateny of selling off land meant to house a market for women were incited by his political rivals.
“These were just a few individuals who were mobilized by those who were removed and they gave them money. That call was not from the (SPLM) party, these are individuals and they should understand here in Jonglei we have a coalition government,” Akech said.
Akech who is also the chairman of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Jonglei State, said Ateny will be sworn in as the new commissioner after the visit of Vice President Hussein Abdelbagi.
Ateny, the Bor County Commissioner said the local women were incited by his political rivals hell-bent on tarnishing his political career.
“This is not a concern and these women are led by the wrong people, motivated by the politicians who don’t want the commissioner of Bor County to take oath,” Ateny said.
Achol Kur Marial, Deputy Chairman for Women Rights Network in Jonglei State, said she stands in solidarity with the women groups demanding the appointment of Ateny to be revoked.
“Governor of Jonglei state Chagor Denay Jock really helped the women groups to maintain the land, so that they can sell their goods and help them put food on the table and educate their children,” Kur who was among the protestors said.
She said the Women Vegetable Group and Jonglei State Women are some of the groups demanding Ateny’s appointment to be rescinded.
Kur called on the state government to investigate land disputes between women groups and local authorities.
“Women rights network calls upon the state government and South Sudan at large to solve the matter and create space for transparency and accountability,” she disclosed.
On 28 March, Jonglei governor Chagor Denay Jock sacked Samuel Ateny Pech as Mayor of Bor municipal council after he was accused of illegally leasing public land to investors.
Ateny was appointed on April 6th as Commissioner of Bor County in a state cabinet reshuffle announced by President Salva Kiir Mayardit.
