Mabor criticized for suspending commissioner

Cracks may be emerging in Lakes State after the deputy governor, Poth Madit, criticised his boss, Governor Rin Tueny Mabor, over the suspension of Yirol West County Commissioner.

Madit, who is the chairman of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) in Lakes State, argued that the suspension and detention of Andrew Acheng Anhiem were unconstitutional.

 “The commissioner is neither serving a suspension nor has he been relieved.” His arrest [came despite him] having immunity as a commissioner, as well as being a chairperson of the SPLM-IO for Yirol West County. Therefore, it is unconstitutional and condemnable by SPLM-in-Opposition from Lakes State leadership,” Madit said.

Andrew Acheng was suspended by Governor Rin on Monday and an investigation had been initiated into his conduct, a statement from the governor’s office revealed.

According to Mabor Deng Kulang, the governor’s press secretary, the commissioner was first suspended on November 16, 2021, but he protested the order.

“Despite the governor’s best attempts to help Andrew Acheng Anhiem, he proved to be a non-starter who refused to work with state leadership and continues to display insubordination, misconduct, maladministration, and poor performance,” said Kulang.

He said after the suspension of Mr Anhiem, the governor formed a committee led by Poth Madit Dut who is his deputy and the chairman of the SPLM-IO in Lakes State.

Kulang claimed that Anthiem was suspended due to insubordination and misbehaviour.

However, Madit said the commissioner’s investigation, which was commissioned by the Governor on November 22, 2021, was an administrative procedure that was carried out accordingly, and that “a report to that effect is with the governor.”

 “The report recommends that most of the issues raised by the governor against the commissioner are administrative and need to be handled administratively and do not warrant his removal,” Madit emphasised.

“We urged for restraining and use of constitutionalism and dialogue in handling political and administrative differences. We, therefore, call for dialogue between the main principles to the reconstituted government of Lakes State as an R-ARCSS tool to resolve the situation in Yirol West County, ” he stated.

“We avail ourselves of an opportunity to renew our unwavering commitment to implementing R-ARCSS and working collaboratively as parties to the agreement to serve the people of Lakes.”

Madit reiterated that commissioner Anhiem was arrested and jailed at Baburzeid military prison on January 14, 2022.

Asked yesterday whether the commissioner was released, Madit said Mr Anthiem was released on the same day he was detained after spending nearly five hours in the detention facility.

 “That can best be narrated to you by the commissioner himself because I was not there, and they were in Yirol when he was detained in Yirol.”

Madit also confirmed that the commissioner’s office manager and two of his bodyguards had been arrested, and he demanded their immediate release as well as the return of his confiscated phones so that he could communicate with his family and friends.

 “I don’t know, maybe those who carried the detention can let us know because what I do know is that they were detained.”