GoSS President Salva Kiir and his deputy Dr Riek Machar.[File]
By Juma John Stephen
JUBA, 18 February 2011Gurtong) –The Thursday appointments announced in Juba saw the inclusion of members from the key political parties in the soon-to-be Africa’s newest state, a move seen by analysts as efforts to create harmony between the ruling SPLM and other parties.
The new members include: David De Chand of South Sudan Democratic Front (SSDF), Samuel Aban Achin of Sudan People’s Liberation Movement For Democratic Change (SPLM-DC), Alokier Malual of United Salvation Democratic Front-Mainstream (USDF/M), Albino Akol Akol of UDSF, Ajang Bior from the Union of Sudan African Party (USAP), Gabriel Roric of National Congress Party (NCP), David William Tut of United Democratic Front (UDF), Felix Ali Bilal from the Union of South Sudan Party (USSP), Stanislaus Lodu - Forum, Philip Palet Gachier of Sudan African National Union (SANU), Nehemiah Aciek of African National Congress (ANC) and Angelo Beda of the Civic Society.
In another development the Southern Sudan Political Parties Leadership Forum has resolved to adopt the SPLM flag for the new nation.
Speaking after a roundtable in Juba, the GoSS Vice President and SPLM Deputy Chairman Dr Riek Machar Teny said the meeting approved the post- referendum process of adopting a national anthem and the coat of arms as planned under the Taskforce Technical Working Groups’ work plan with public participation.
He said the meeting approved that the draft of the amended Interim Constitution of Southern Sudan will be presented to the political parties Leadership Forum before it is presented to the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly.
It was also at the meeting that name “The Republic of Southern Sudan” for the new State was unanimously approved.