On May 11, President Salva Kiir named the first nominees to the Revitalised Transitional National Legislative Assembly (R-TNLA) putting to rest the defeaning calls for the reconstitution to the legislature. Names made it to the list and so were the discussions around the individuals as per whether the nominees merited the honour.
Subject to public discussion was the appointment of a Ugandan lady, who was picked under the umbrella of Other Political Parties (OPP), but to the chagrin of the public who dug deep about her background.
Though President Salva Kiir later dismissed Ms. Afekuyu Animu Rasasi, after week following dispute among members of Other Political Party (OPP) over her appointment, the truth is yet to be known as to how a foreign national became Member of Parliament in South Sudan.
OPP speaks
Peter Mayen Majongdi, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management who doubles up as OPP’s Chairperson, distanced himself from being part of Animu’s appointment when the blame was cast on him by his party members.
OPP Spokesperson Abino Akol Atak had accused Mr. Mayen of nominating his close relatives and a foreign national, Animu, to the R-TNLA.
“It is true that Honorable Minster Peter Mayen Majongdit had nominated his members of his family, this may include his brother, sister, mother and friends and even a foreigner,” Mr. Akol told the City Review.
Minister Mayen refuted the allegation saying his role was to forward names to the OPP leadership for appointment by the President of the Republic of South Sudan.
He said Animu’s appointment came from the women league and that the it was not easy to expunge her name.
“She (Animu) got the nomination from Women League, Central Equatorial State. They were forwarded two names. So, for us as OPP leaders, if someone is nominated by the women league or youth league, we don’t have right to reject but to forward the name for appointment,” he said.
“When we received the nomination, we just endorsed it as it is. Eventually, there have been complaints from the community [about her appointment and citizenship]. So, the party leadership has finally resolved that her nomination has to be put on hold or suspended.” said Mayen.
On May 15, following Animu’s appointment, the Keliko community of Lujule Payam of Morobo Country, Central Equatoria State, which she represented at the R-TNLA, issued a statement disowning her.
The community said in the statement that Ms. Animu did not hail from Keliko ethnic tribe of South Sudan adding that her lineage was traced in Lujule Payam, but they could not find.
“The Keliko community made several attempts for Animu to prove her lineage, but were futile. In 2018, Keliko community in Juba summoned Animu to verify her claims but the meeting proved beyond that her claims were false but tarnishing the image of Keliko,” the statement read in part.
The City Review could not reach Central Equatoria Women League to comment on the matter.
However, unconfirmed information alleged that Ms. Animu who has lived in South Sudan for some years already had been serving in the government of South Sudan in various capacities, including in the office of them First Vice President, Taban Deng Gai in 2018.
Another yet to be verified information alleged that she had also served in the Embassy of Japan and later left due to nationality issues.
When the City Review reached out to Ms Animu to respond over the matter, another person picked the phone and said she was in class and that she would call later. Our follow-up call went unanswered.
Mr. Mayen said the OPP leadership was glad that President Kiir finally revoked Animu’s appointment pending the investigation over the nationality issue.
“Her appointment has been revoked and OPP is comfortable with that and we look forward for the implementation of the peace agreement and formation of the rest of government- particularly the state members of parliament and council of state.’’