Rundial becomes Assembly Speaker, reactions mixed
Magok Rundial replaces James Wani Igga who became new Vice President instead of Riek Machar, who was discharged as part of a major reshuffle as South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit strove to end an alleged internal power struggle.
Members of the Parliament said Magok was a favourite candidate of Kiir for the key job -- but some questioned the process, which propelled him into power.
The speaker should have been elected democratically.”
Prior to Magok’s selection, President Kiir told the house to elect Magok as their new speaker, warning that otherwise he would dissolve the assembly, Michael Ruot Koryom said.
Nyanchek Nyal, who represents Bor County in the national assembly, said Magok was elected as speaker to balance power between the three regions of Bahr el-Ghazal, Greater Upper Nile and Equatoria.
But local reactions to the news were mixed. Paul Wani, a student from Upper Nile University said the election of Magok Rundial did not reflect democracy, arguing Kiir appointed somebody who suits his own interests. The speaker should have been elected democratically by the house, instead of Kiir intimidating the house to endorse Magok, but we need him not serve the public, not Kiir,” Wani said.
Moja Betty Juan, who works for the Ministry of Gender, congratulated Kiir, saying the appointment creates a balance of power across the regions.
This shows that Kiir is not greedy for power.”
This shows that Kiir is not greedy for power but is power sharing among the three regions of the country,” she said.
Others welcomed the fact that the Nuer tribe had a high profile in what they call a Dinka tribe-dominated government. Now, the Nuer tribe is well presented in this SPLM government, because of Marial Benjamin, as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Rundial as the speaker,” James Magot, a civil servant, said.
Magok Rundial declined to comment on news of his appointment.
