I am willing to serve anywhere, says ex-N. Bahr Ghazal deputy governor

June 11, 2013 (JUBA) – The ex-deputy governor of South Sudan’s Northern Bahr el Ghazal state, recently relieved from his position, says he is willing to take on any new role anywhere.

Madut Dut Yel, who served as deputy governor for three years, was on 8 June removed from his position by Governor Paul Malong Awan and replaced with Salva Chol Ayat.

The former deputy governor, in an interview with Sudan Tribune, described the recent changes in the state administration as a “normal” practice, but could not hint on his next possible placement.

“I do not know when and where my next assignment will be, but I do not doubt that the system might give me assignment in the near future”, he said by phone from the state capital, Aweil.

Yel served in the security service, prior to his appointment as deputy governor of the border state three years back.

Governor Malong also removed Deng Anei from the ministry of youth and sports, transferring him to the health ministry, while Mareng Chuor Deng, who headed the state revenue authority, moved to the youth ministry.

As such, Riakriak Akok, who previously served in the department of research and documentation in revenue authority, became its new head, while Tong Atak Mel, formerly the health minister was transferred to the state peace commission.

PUBLIC REACTIONS TO THE NEW CHANGES

“I am not surprised of the changes. We were actually expecting Governor Paul Malong Awan to reshuffle his cabinet since last year, but it took this long because of the political situation with Sudan at the border areas”, said James Aguer, a student at Juba University.

Aguer, who hails from the border region, alleged that the ex-governor often differed from the official state position and that this could have led to his removal from a post he held for three years.

Deng Ajou, another Northern Bahr el Ghazal citizen, said he also expected general changes in the state cabinet and in the counties.

“A lot of people here were hoping some ministers would be removed and new faces were going to be appointed. We were expecting appointments to be made for the opponents of the governor in Juba,” Ajou said by phone on Monday.

Deng Deng, who also hails from Northern Bahr el Ghazal state, said many people from his area anticipated removal of the state minister for physical infrastructure, who is said to have fallen out with the governor.

“It was clear for us in Aweil north that the minister of physical infrastructure was going to be removed. Nobody knew he would survive. He was also convinced that he would not come because of the suspicion that he supports another political candidate with the presidential ambition a part from the incumbent president, Salva Kiir”, Deng told Sudan Tribune on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Lual Bol, a native of Aweil South county, said most intellectuals from his area were expected Garang Majak Bol, who previously fell out with the governor, to be in the new cabinet.

“There were a lot of hopes for him [Majak]. He actually traveled to Juba for this purpose. He was lobbying the governor for the appointment, but it is unfortunate that he has not been appointed,” Bol said by phone Monday.

(ST)