SPLM says not worried by defections to opposition in Aweil

By Hou Akot Hou

The recent defections of two vibrant members of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) have been downplayed by party officials in Northern Bahr El Ghazal state.

Mangar Mou Anyar, Aweil East SPLM chairperson, said some members of the party who have decided to switch party allegiance did not consult the SPLM leadership to address their concerns.

 “Some of these colleagues in the SPLM youth league want to get employed and we don’t have opportunities in the party. So when they see that they begin to go away and insult the party without being objective,” Anyar said during the SPLM youth league meeting held in Aweil on Tuesday.

  His remarks come in the aftermath of Bona Bak Apeny, the state party director for information, culture and communication and Gabriel Bol Dut, the assistant director for state affairs joining the opposition SPLM-IO led by First Vice President Riek Machar.

The duo prior to defecting to SPLM-IO accused senior party leaders of being intolerant to internal democracy.

Tong Aken Ngor, the governor of Northern Bahr El Ghazal and also chairman of SPLM, said some members are using their positions to earn money.

Aken revealed they will hold SPLM party conference for greater Bahr El Ghazal on June 27 in Wau.

Gabriel Bol Dut, who defected to the SPLM-IO accused the SPLM party leadership of failing to address grievances of members.

 “I have been asking to go abroad for treatment but these SPLM officials including Tong Aken travel out for treatment. What is special about such members? That is why I and my colleagues stormed out of such a party and join the party of Comrade Dr. Riek Machar Teny that is working without tribalism,” Bol said