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Kiir Mayardit sworn in as first elected president of Southern Sudan Fri, May 21 2010 |
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 The elected President of the Government of Southern Sudan, H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, was sworn in today, May 21, 2010, by Justice J. Wol Makec, the President of the Supreme Court of Southern Sudan. The colorful inauguration ceremony took place at Dr. John Garang’s mausoleum, in the Southern Sudanese capital, Juba.
In attendance were Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni, and Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka of Kenya, Sudanese Vice President Ali Osman Taha, Daniel Arap Moi, the former President of Kenya, and Kenya’s Gen. Lazarus Sumbeiywo, in addition to a number of dignitaries from neighboring countries and regional and international organizations.
Before taking the oath of office, President Kiir laid a wreath at the burial site of Dr. John Garang, the first president of the Government of Southern Sudan who died in a helicopter crash in July 2005.
Nation-wide elections took place between 11 and 15 April 2010; the National Election Commission announced the results on April 26. President Kiir Mayardit won 93 percent of the votes, with his only challenger, Dr. Lam Akol, obtaining the remaining 7 percent.
In consonance with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed in January 2005, Southern Sudan – a region with a rich pre-colonial history – has a full and autonomous government that runs its affairs. However, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement gives the people of Southern Sudan an internationally monitored referendum to determine their future and decide to remain part of the Sudan or form and build an independent state in January 2011. |
