UDF party holds a meeting in Juba - April 2013. Photo by Juba Monitor

A member of the United Democratic Front is calling on the recently reinstated chairperson of the party, Peter Sule, to apologize and refrain from claiming the party chairmanship.

Last month, Hon Peter Sule was restored as the chairman of the party.

Martin Lomatayo quoted a member of the UDF as saying that the appointment of Hon Sule was not in line with the party’s constitution.

He said they only recognize Philip Yona as the chairperson of the UDF.

“What we expect Peter Sule to do [is] to do the right thing and the right thing is that he is not the chairman of UDF and he has been given a position that is not his in an illegal meeting,” Mr Lomatayo told reporters yesterday.

“He has to come and apologize as the former leader and apologize to the Political Bureau of UDF and say: ‘Brothers, a mistake has happened’.

“Philip Yona is our chairman and let us work towards the National Convention and at that time everybody can nominate himself and if he is nominated and if he wins, we will respect him as our leader but at this point, he is not our leader.”

Mr Lomatayo said the only organ outside the National Convention of the UDF is the Political Bureau that has the power to elect or remove a party leader.

Apologize to whom and for what? Hon Peter Sule reacts

Peter Sule says he will not resign as leader of the UDF and apologize to those who are calling for his resignation.

Mr. Sule was detained for nearly two years after the government accused him of forming armed rebel groups in November 2011.

Following his arrest, members of the U-D-F removed him from the party’s leadership.

However, following his release from prison in October last year, leaders of the U-D-F in the ten states renewed their confidence and reinstated him as national chairman.

Speaking to Eye Radio this morning, Mr. Sule said there are no valid reasons for him to apologize and resign.

“Apologize to whom and for what?  Apologize to Philip for what?” He asked.

“Philip should apologize to me. You know, Philip is an elderly person whom I respect and Philip should not behave like a mercenary going behind some people whose past is so checkered that Philip should not actually go after them.

“It’s party members who called me back and who held a press conference led by the only organized body at that time which was the central committee and few members of the political office who were in Juba at that time and with the affirmation of all the organization in the states.”

Mr. Sule said he is the legitimate leader of the party and can only be removed from his position through the general convention.

He urged Professor Philip Yona and his group to wait for the convention next year if they want to contest the position of the chairmanship.

Co-author: Nichola Mandil