“People of Upper Nile State do not want Gen Johnson Olony” ~ President Salva Kiir

November 21, 2020 Breaking News, News, Newsbeat, South Sudan

Nov 20, 2020(SSNN) — Addressing Church leaders and eminent personalities from the Global Churches, who held a meeting and prayers at the presidential palace today, November 20th, President Salva Kiir outlined his three main reasons for refusing to appoint the SPLM/A-IO gubernatorial candidate, Lt. Gen. Johnson Olony Thabo.

President Salva Kiir meeting religious leaders at his palace in J1 on Friday, November 20, 2020(Photo credit: supplied)

“H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit, in his Office this Friday morning, met with the delegation of the Eminent personalities of Church leaders from All African Conference of Churches and World Council of Churches.” Read part of a statement from President Kiir’s press office.

According to president Kiir, General Olony is not a member of SPLM/A-IO, he has refused to come to Juba and the people of Upper Nile State do not want him appointed as their governor.

“H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit told the church leaders who made an appeal for the appointment of the Upper Nile State Governor that the appointment of Johnson Olony as a Governor of Upper Nile State is not an easy task for several reasons that are: 1. General John Olony is not a member of SPLM-IO, 2.General Johnson Olony refused to come to Juba for his own reasons and 3. And The people of Upper Nile State do not want General Johnson Olony as their Governor.”

The Church leaders and eminent personalities from the Global Churches visited president Kiir purposely to encourage him “to give sincere attention to the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement and encourage his service for the People of South Sudan.”

In response to the religious leaders, President Kiir claimed that the agreement is being implemented well except on areas where he is waiting for the oppositions to do their parts.

“During the meeting, H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit assured the global church leaders and eminent personalities that the country has attained peace and will not go back to war again.” Said Kiir’s spokesman, Ateny Wek Ateny.

“H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit said the agreement on power-sharing had been reached, and he is ready to form the State and local Governments as soon as the parties are ready with their lists.” Ateny continued.

In attendance were also the Minister of Presidential Affairs Hon. Nhial Deng Nhial, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hon. Beatrice Khamisa Wani and the Executive Director in the Office of the President Hon. James Deng Wal.