The National Minister of Youth and Sport has ended 7 months of disagreement with the Chairperson of the National Youth Union after the latter wrote a letter of apology.
This week, the union’s chairman Gola Boyoi gave a public apology to Minister Dr. Albino Akol over their bitter dissension in the National Youth Union.
Since May, the two have traded accusations publicly over how to channel the affairs of the National Youth Union. This is after Gola wrote a letter to the Egyptian President and the Deputy President of the Sudan Sovereign Council over the status of the Abyei region.
The letter reportedly angered Dr. Akol who argued that Mr. Gola disregarded official government protocols by writing directly to foreign Heads of State.
On May 12, Dr. Albino issued a letter suspending Gola from his position and instituted a committee to investigate him. But Gola dismissed the suspension saying the Minister has no powers to act on administrative matters of the union. He remained adamant and continued to serve.
However, this week, Mr. Gola apologized.
“In respect to the recommendation of the committee and in the spirit of peace, reconciliation and togetherness, I render my sincere apology to my brother, comrade Dr. Albino Bol Dhieu, Minister of Youth and Sport for any inconveniences caused to him and the entire Ministry of Youth and Sport by my misconduct,” He said in a public letter issued on November 25, 2022.
In response, Dr. Albino Akol said:
“Guided by the wisdom of our leaders, spirit of peace and my own conviction that the strength is in unity, I write to inform you that your apology is accepted,” the minister said in a letter dated December 1, 2022.
Dr. Akol further lifted the suspension on Gola so as to enable him continue to serve as the Chairperson of the National Youth Union as recommended by the investigation committee.
“On the same note and in the same spirit, I urge all the youth of South Sudan to embrace peace, togetherness and to restore our shaken national unity and coexistence,” he appealed.
The National Youth Union was established by a Ministerial decree in August 2011 to act as an independent non-political, non-profit-making institution with an essential policy tool guiding the country on its approach to youth development.
It is expected to spearhead the participation of young people in governance, in youth activities as well as coordinate with the Ministry of Youth, and entrench foreign relations with friendly states and strengthen ties of cooperation between the international organisations.
