SOUTH SUDAN PRESIDENT SAYS HE CAN ONLY DISMISS ELECTED GOVERNORS IF CONVICTED OF A CRIME - BAKOSORO

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir displays the transitional

constitution of the Republic of South Sudan after signing it

into law during the Independence Day celebrations in the

capital Juba, July 9, 2011 (Getty)

South Sudan’s president said Saturday that he only has the right to dismiss elected officials in the newly independent country if they have been convicted of a crime.

The South Sudan Interim Constitution which was criticized for giving excessive powers to the President of the new state. The article 101 (R), allows the president to dissolve the state legislative assembly and relieve elected governors.

The governor of Western Equatoria State Bangasi Joseph Bakosoro who met Kiir recently said Tuesday that South Sudan’s president had dismissed interpretations of South Sudan’s interim constitution that would allow him to sack state governors and elected state level MPs.

“The president said he has no mandate to dismiss any elected leader from the government unless convicted into criminal act or activities,” decried Bakosoro, who was the only independent candidate to win a gubernatorial seat at last years elections.

South Sudan transitional constitution had proved controversial with opposition groups and senior figures within South Sudan’s ruling party - including the vice president and speaker of parliament - expressing reservations that the power was too centralised.

Kiir signed South Sudan’s transitional constitution on July 9, in Juba during South Sudan’s declaration of independence. Secession from the North was achieved through a referendum, which was a key part a 2005 peace deal ending decades of war.

Bakosoro said he also discussed the future of the states in terms of development for the local population to feel the total freedom and benefits of being a sovereign state, in his meeting with Kiir.

The governor further mentioned that the president revealed that he will form an inclusive government and will increase the seats of the National Assembly to allow more political parties to take part in the parliament in August house.

He further said that in the meeting with the president Kiir disclosed that he will call for the SPLM national convention in order to look at way to iron differences amongst party members.

Governor Bakosoro called upon all the people of South Sudan to remain in harmony and unity as time has come for the development and nursing of a new nation.

“The development of the new nation is our collective efforts therefore we should leave out segregation and division of races and stand as one people for the success of our country” asserted Bakosoro.

Sudan Tribune