S. Sudan parliament suspends investigations into Lam Akol’s activities
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By Julius N. Uma
September 5, 2011 (JUBA) — A motion, seeking an investigation into Lam
Akol’s alleged links with rebels in South Sudan’s Upper Nile, was on
Wednesday indefinitely suspended by the country’s national assembly.
JPEG - 14.7 kb
South Sudan opposition leader Lam Akol (AFP)
Agnes Nyoka Peter, a member of the assembly has moved the motion,
which was supported by about 45 lawmakers. Sudan Tribune accessed a
copy of the document signed by these MPs.
In her presentation before the assembly, Nyoka claimed she had
substantial evidence that allegedly links the Sudan People’s
Liberation Movement for Democratic Change (SPLM-DC) leader to various
rebel groups in and outside the county, adding that an August report
released by the UN Secretary General (UNSG) also questions the
SPLM-DC’s activities in the country.
It is not, however clear why the August House suspended the motion, a
day after scores of the assembly members had requested for a probe
into the leading opposition leader’s return and his earlier
activities.
Speaking to Sudan Tribune shortly after the Parliamentary session,
Onyoti Nyikwec Adigo, the opposition leader in the assembly lauded the
assembly’s decision, describing it as a political victory and a step
in the right direction.
"I always knew this motion seeking to investigate Dr. Lam Akol over
these allegations was a wrong move. The SPLM-DC’s leader’s return was
something that must have been discussed before the council of minister
and the president’s powers cannot be ignored," he said.
Adigo also dismissed his counterpart’s motion, saying any evidence
that links the SPLM-DC to rebel activities is simply “baseless holds
no ground.”
Akol, leader of the break-away faction of the south ruling party made
a surprise return on Sunday, three days after talks with President
Salva Kiir in Nairobi, Kenya.
The meeting, sources revealed, was meant bury the political hatchet
between the two leaders who bitterly contested for South Sudan’s
presidency in April 2010. However, although President Kiir won with
about 93 percent, his rival accused the electoral commission of gross
malpractices in favor of the incumbent.
Since then, Akol has been accused by the southern leadership of having
very close links with the rebel group headed by former SPLA (army)
renegade Gen. George Deng Athor. Athor picked up arms against the
southern government after losing elections in his bid to become
Governor of South Sudan’s Jonglei state.
On several occasions, however, the SPLM-DC leader has repeatedly
denied all these wave of allegations; often pointing fingers at those
he calls "political enemies".
Following the accusations made by SPLM-DC former secretary general and
two other figures, Akol said people who have evidence on the
implication of his party with the rebel groups can just bring it to
the court.
(ST).
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