Machar Trial Prosecutor Ajo Ony’Ohisa Seeks SPLM Flag for Eastern Equatoria Governorship

By Awan Achiek

Ajo Ony’Ohisa, a lead prosecutor in the trial of former First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny, has declared his bid for the SPLM party flag to contest the Eastern Equatoria State governorship.

He stated that his ambition is driven by a desire to improve people’s lives and contribute to national development, rather than a career in politics.

Ohisa described himself as a man of action rather than a politician. While declaring his bid for the governorship in Torit on Sunday, the prominent South Sudanese lawyer reiterated that his motivation for entering politics stems from a desire to improve people’s lives and contribute to national development.

“I am a man of work; I am not a politician. But the interest in helping people and developing the country is what brought me to politics,” Ohisa said.

He called on his rivals within the SPLM to maintain mutual respect and focus on addressing the state’s development challenges, rather than allowing political competition to create division.

“I want to tell my opponents that we shall respect each other. First of all, we are members of the SPLM, and second, we are citizens of Eastern Equatoria State,” he said.

He emphasized that his political ambitions are driven by a desire to serve communities and help address challenges affecting livelihoods across Eastern Equatoria State.

He identified climate change as one of the major concerns facing the state, noting that changing climatic conditions have affected crop production and contributed to water shortages for livestock.

“We should be discussing how to move this state forward. We have climate change which has affected our crops, and our cows and goats lack water,” he said.

Ohisa urged party members competing for the governorship to prioritize discussions on how to advance the state, stressing the need for cooperation in tackling challenges affecting communities.

“We as members of the SPLM should organize ourselves and stand together during primaries so that we can elect somebody who will move this state forward. I am ready and I can run with you 100 meters.”