Independent Bakosoro: "No skyscrapers in WES, but..."

Colonel Joseph Bakosoro, the Western Equatoria Gubernatorial Independent candidate has embarked on a campaign tour to Ezo, Tambura and Nagero counties.  He launched his independent campaign which drew thousands of his supporters to Yambio on 1 March.

His campaign trail has taken him to Tambura County first, a region where he was once County Commissioner.  Many in the region remember him for his work in encouraging traders to build new shops during the murky days of Southern Sudan. Upon his arrival in Tambura County he stepped from his vehicle and ignited the crowd by smiling and waving enthusiastically to them for several minutes before crusading to the heart of Tambura town. He was warmly welcomed by his Campaign Manager and members of the public in Tambura. His supporters waved green leaves.  His arrival drew a perky large and enthusiastic crowd, who had waited for long for the man many refer already to as governor.

The cheering and applause continued for at least five minutes as a smiling Bakosoro made several attempts to begin his campaign messages, but the audience would not quit until they had delivered their welcome songs. Eye witnesses said, upon his arrival traditional dancers welcomed him with a new song created recently for his campaign trail.

Fears of massive rigging and intimidation

The governor of Western Equatoria State, Jemma Kumba, is being accused of using vast public resources to attract the public and there are reported fears of her stealing the votes, while Bakosoro continues to gain popularity and support.  On Sunday, she summoned leader of communities of Congolese, Ugandans, Kenyans and Somalis to vote for her, or else she will chase them outside Western Equatoria, eye witnessed during, the launch of Jemma’s campaign, truckloads of foreigners were transported to the freedom square to backup the rally of Jemma which the majority of ordinary people had apparently boycotted. She urged the foreign community leaders to convince their people to vote for her in the coming general elections.

Two days ago, the Office Manager of Ibba County Commissioner was reportedly caught red handed advising an SPLA solder of Battalion 137 that, “nobody should campaign in Ibba county for governorship except Nunu.”  

The people’s choice

While launching his campaign last week Col Bakosoro arrived at the freedom square on a three wheel motorbike known as “raksha” which rode him all the way from Masiya. His supporters rushed to the motorbike and carried him down.  “This is the first time I have seen people being carried in the history of the Azande since the time of King Gbudue”, said an old man who stood and watched him being carried.  During his speech, Col. Bakosoro said; “We have gone and we have come back and today we are here with you.  I came from Juba not to go back but to be with you here as your Governor. You asked me to come here to be your Governor and today I am here with you and if you let me down, we will all fall into the big ocean,” he told his supporters.

Col Bakosoro stated that he joined the war in Western Equatorial State and fought together with other colleagues to eventually bring about the CPA. He stated that he is standing as independent candidate is to strengthen the CPA and democracy which many gave their blood for.

"I cannot promise you that I will build skyscraper buildings but we shall work together with all of you to build and develop our beloved state”

He dismissed rumours that he will chase away other tribes from the stated if elected governor of WES. He continued by saying that every southerner has the right to live in any place anywhere in the south. “It was the people who asked me to come here to stand as independent and without you, I would not stand as independent.”  “What kind of a governor would I be if I chase people away who are not from this state? I cannot promise you that I will build skyscraper buildings but we shall work together with all of you to build and develop our beloved state”.

Col Bakosoro stated that he will bring back the people who ran away from the atrocities of LRA to their villages and provide them full security. He stated that he can only do this if elected as governor. Bakosoro stated that he will change the way of business in the state by helping the local traders to become business minded people with reasonable capital because without helping them the state will be weak economically.

Among the things he stated he would make his priorities were: education, health, security, accountability, development and good governance.

Col Bakosoro narrated that he will never pay any person for his or her vote.