SPLM office in Warrap calls for boycott of swearing in of new cabinet
November 1, 2013 (JUBA) – The leadership of South Sudan’s ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) in Warrap state is calling for a boycott of the swearing in ceremony of its new cabinet ministers, citing a lack of consultation with its organs and under-representation of women.
In the reshuffle, four cabinet ministers retained their positions while eight were moved to other ministries.
Governor Nyandeng Malek Deliech also reduced of ministers to eleven from thirteen. The ministries of parliamentary affairs and rural development were abolished.
PROTESTS OVER CABINET
However, Andrew Kuac Mayol, the acting head of the SPLM office in Warrap accused the governor of refusing to take her cabinet to the state secretariat for vetting and approval despite repeated requests by the institution.
In a letter dated 1 November addressed to Simon Deng Mawien, the government chief whip in the state parliament, Mayol asked the members of the SPLM at all levels not to attend the swearing in ceremony of the new cabinet slated for Saturday.
“We wrote a letter yesterday to Nyandeng Malek, Governor of Warrap State requesting her to bring the new government to our SPLM Secretariat. Since the governor has refused to do so we are requesting your office to inform our MPs of SPLM not to attend the swearing in of such a cabinet.’’ read Mayol’s letter which was obtained by Sudan Tribune.
‘‘Ministers, youth League and Women Leagues are requested not to attend too,’’ the letter read.
Nyandeng is South Sudan’s only female governor but women groups in Warrap have complained that at least three ministerial positions and one advisor position should have been filled by women in order to ensure that at least 25% of the cabinet are women, as stipulated by the Warrap transitional constitution.
When South Sudan’s president Kiir reshuffled his cabinet in August he also reduced the number of national ministries and asked that the young nation’s ten states do the same in order to streamline services, prevent overlapping areas between ministries and save money.
NEW CABINET ELICITS PROTESTS
The October 30 reshuffle saw General Acuil Tito Madut, South Sudan’s former Inspector General of police in the national government named the new minister of local government replacing Atem Atem who was moved to education. The education minister was moved to finance replacing Acuil Akoc Magardit who was removed from office.
Joseph Buong Anyar, a former Tonj South County commissioner was named the new minister of public service taking over from veteran politician, Madhel Malek.
Lual Longar Adhal takes over as the minister of animal resources and fisheries succeeding Paul Dhel Gum who has been named new minister of health.
Other new faces in the cabinet include Mayar Deng Mayar who is the new minister of physical infrastructure, Majok Bol Kur who is the minister of agriculture, Majok Bol Kur who takes over the information ministry, Nyanaguek Kuol is new minister of social welfare and development and Victoria Tito is the new youth and sports minister.
Those who were dropped include health minister, Solomon Angui Mayuot, parliamentary affairs minister, Achol Chier Rehan, cooperative and rural development, Joseph Mabior Malek and Kuot Mawien Kuot from physical infrastructure
NEW ADVISORY TEAM
Riith Goc was appointed the peace and reconciliation advisory taking over from Andrew Kuac Mayol.
Adior Kuol remained an advisor on gender affairs while Anei Mawien Abiik became political advisor, replacing Mayuot Akec Mayen.
Elia Deng Majok James Achi retained his position as security advisor.
whom she appointed as minister of local government.
LIST OF APPOINTMENTS
The seven ministers appointed on Wednesday were:
- Gen. Acuil Tito Madut minister of local government replacing Victor Atem Atem
- Mr. Victor Atem Atem minister of education replacing Aguer Ariik
- Mr. Paul Dhel Gum minister of health replacing Hon Solomon Anguei
- Mr. Andrea Aguer Ariik minister of finance replacing Acuil Akoc Magardit
- Mr. Joseph Buong Anyar minister of public service replacing Hon Dr Madhel Malek
- Mr. Mayar Deng Mayar minister of physical infrastructure replacing Mr. Kuot Mawien Kuot
- Mr. Lual Longar Adhal minister of animal resources and fisheries replacing Mr. Paul Dhel Gum.
- Majok Bol Kur, minister of agriculture
- Nyanaguek Kuol, minister of information
- Victor Tito, minister of social development
- Lual Madhang, minister of youth and sports
Outgoing are ministers who did not gain reappointment are:
- Mrs. Achol Cyier, former minister of parliamentary affairs.
- Mr. Kuot Mawien Kuot, former minister for physical infrastructure
- Mr. Joseph Mabior Malek, former minister of cooperative and rural development
- Mr. Solomon Anguei Mayuot, former minister of health.
(ST)
