Gatluak Nyang Hoth, the Commissioner of Mayiandit of Unity State - Courtesy

The National Democratic Movement on Wednesday suspended membership of the commissioners of Mayendit County in Unity State and Pigi in Jonglei State after the two officials defied directives to resign.

In a press statement issued on Wednesday, June 21, NDM said Dr. Gatluak Nyang Hoth, the Commissioner of Mayendit County and Nyok Malual Mayiik of Pigi County rejecting revocation of their nominations.

The party led by Dr. Lam Akol, also suspended Yonannes William Ojwok, Chairman of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission in Upper Nile state for a similar reason.

“The party had earlier revoked their nominations to those positions and directed them to tender their resignations, but they refused to comply with the order,” reads the press statement.

Mahmoud Abdelrahaman Akot, the party spokesperson, said NDM executive committee decided to suspend the politicians’ membership.

“The national executive committee of the NDM in its meeting No 94 dated 21 June 2023 has decided to suspend the membership of three of its members who were nominated by the party over two years ago to occupy government positions in the states,” Akot said in an exclusive interview with Eye Radio.

He said the party had written to the appointment authority – the Revitalized Government of National Unity seeking the revocation of their nominations and the appointment of their replacements last year.

But the requests had not been granted, prompting the party to take the unilateral decision.

NDM said it has now formed a committee to investigate and hold the suspended members accountable for violating certain basic rules of the party.

“The party had earlier revoked their nominations to those positions and directed them to tender their resignations but they refused to comply with the order.”

“A committee has been formed to investigate them for violating the provisions of the NDM Act 2016 as amended.”

When contacted, Mayendit Commissioner Dr. Gatluak Nyang Hoth said he was in the process of conducting a press conference to respond to the matter.

The UN Security Council in early 2022 accused Dr. Nyang and his Koch County counterpart in Unity State of instigating a vicious inter-communal violence that led to the death of 72 civilians, raping of over 60 women and girls, and attacks against humanitarian workers.

Both officials have since denied the accusations and challenged the UN to present credible evident.