Yei County Residents yesterday protested against President al-Bashir’s visit to the area while expressing bitter memories of the two-decade civil war that ravaged Southern Sudan.
YEI RESIDENTS PROTEST AGAINST PRESIDENT AL-BASHIR’S VISIT
Mr. Al-Bashir, was warmly received in Yei by NCP members and supporters. However, he faced an ugly situation at the Freedom Square, where a large crowd that turned up for the political rally became rowdy, Radio Emmanuel reported.
The presence of elite presidential guards, plainclothes security, police and the SPLA could not prevent the residents shouting at the President in protest as he reiterated his promises to develop south Sudan.
Mr. Al-Bashir had promised to develop the social infrastructure like schools and hospitals among others.
However, his speech was repeatedly interrupted by angry protesters shouting at top of their voices to shut up the president.
The protesters that disorganized Bashir’s ten-minute speech at the Freedom Square also openly expressed their allegiance the SPLM party while chanting “SPLM no change, Salva Kiir no change, SPLM no change, Salva Kiir no change” as they waved the party flags in the air.
Another group of over 200 motorcyclists carried SPLM flags while riding around Yei town, calling for no change.
The scenario lasted for hours after the NCP candidate to the republic’s top post left the Freedom Square to the airfield on his way to Maridi, in neighboring Western Equatoria State.
A number of people who talked to Radio Emmanuel at the venue in Yei described Mr. Bashir’s promises as empty political gimmicks and they accused him of being responsible for sufferings of southerner.