Machar consults SPLM-IO leadership over replacement of splinter minister

November 11, 2021 (JUBA) – Riek Machar South Sudan’s First Vice-President is consulting members of his SPLM-IO before nominating a new mining minister to the transitional coalition cabinet.

According to multiple officials in his movement, Machar has been reaching out to the SPLM-IO leadership members to identify individuals who could be nominated to replace former minister of mining Henry Dilah Odwar who resigned from his ministerial position after joining a splinter faction led by Gatwech Dual in August 2021.

“Yes, it is true His excellency, chairman, Dr. Riek Machar has been consulting members of the leadership and individuals to help him identify someone who would replace former minister of mining Henry Dilah Odwar,” an SPLM-IO legislator told the Sudan Tribune on Thursday.

These comments followed a statement attributed to Puok Both, Director of Information and Public Relations in the office of Machar.

Both said Machar was carrying consultations to nominate a minister who would replace Odwar.

The media official said members of the public will know when consultations are concluded. The officials will be replaced soon, he said without specifying the time.

Odwar was the deputy chairman of the SPLM-IO until he resigned his ministerial post and joined a breakaway faction under Gen Simon Gatwech Dual.

(ST)