SPLM-DC Chairman Lam Akol says that he is ready to run for the GOSS presidency if he is nominated

The SPLM-DC has allied itself with seven southern Sudanese political parties in preparation for elections which are scheduled for April 2010.

Report by Sudan Radio Service, November 20, 2009:

(Cairo, Egypt) - The chairman of the SPLM-DC, Doctor Lam Akol, says that he is ready to run for the GOSS presidency if he is nominated.

According to the Sudan Tribune website, the southern Sudan political parties’ alliance announced on Thursday, that they have nominated Akol as a candidate for the southern Sudan presidency.

Sudan Radio Service interviewed Dr. Akol from Cairo on Friday.

[Dr. Lam Akol]: “The talk about nomination is still a prediction because until now the alliance hasn’t sat to discuss who they will nominate. These are just predictions. But if I have been nominated for the southern Sudan presidency, I will absolutely accept it, because it will be a favor to the people of southern Sudan especially since the region has been ruled by a weak leadership for the last five years.”

Lam Akol blamed GOSS for the instability in the region - and for its handling of the developing food crisis.

[Dr. Lam Akol]: “Our program will depend on ensuring peace, security and stability and it is a priority to ensure that security and stability prevails in order to provide basic services and development. Currently in southern Sudan there is no food security, although the region is agriculturally rich. There is enough agricultural land and water. The only missing thing is planning and the leadership.”

Lam Akol also said that the new alliance will address the question of corruption in the civil service of southern Sudan.

[Dr. Lam Akol]: “Regarding the administration of public funds, corruption is spreading in southern Sudan, from top to bottom. The program of the southern Sudan parties will fight corruption and corrupt people with no mercy. Without doing that, you can not develop the existing resources in the south. Many people are suffering from inequality, now the public service sector has been politicized; it is an absolute must to restore the public service to its former professionalism.”

The SPLM-DC has allied itself with seven southern Sudanese political parties in preparation for elections which are scheduled for April 2010.