Wulu executive chief resigns
August 21, 2014 (RUMBEK) – The executive chief of Lakes state’s Wulu Gedim boma (district) has resigned without providing a reason.
Chief Shila Kon Amoyi resigned on Tuesday, with local authorities naming Nadia Manjero as his interim replacement.
The decision to appoint a woman in the role met with strong resistance from some local residents.
Local resident Moses Gilo said the decision to appoint a woman in the role had no precedent, describing it as “a great insult”.
Meanwhile, Wulu chief authorities in Lake state capital Rumbek last week arrested executive chief Agok Deng Manyon.
Manyon was detained on Tuesday after refusing to share information with security agents on the whereabouts of suspects in the killing of Athoi regional paramount chief Apereer Chut Dhuol, who was shot dead by an unknown gunman on 5 August.
Manyon is reported to have been “tortured and humiliated” by security forces, who were conducting a search for the suspected assailants, believed to be in hiding in Wulu county.
In a separate development, county secretaries from South Sudan’s ruling party (SPLM) have imposed a compulsory pay cut on payam (district) party administrators.
The decision was taken by commissioner Benjamin Akol Muorwel, who was appointed in March 2013.
Under the decision adminstrators will have their salaries of 1,000 South Sudanese pounds (SSP) slashed to 500 SSP.
The decision will apply to Wulu’s nine payams, including Wulu, Makundi, Domuloto, Bargel 1 and Bargel 2.
An official who requested anonymity from the SPLM at payam level confirmed the decision to media.
Gideon Kilele, Khamis Magben, Simon Garang, Dien Makuek and John Anyar are among the administrators affected by the pay cut.
There are growing calls for South Sudan’s president, Salva Kiir, to relieve Lakes state’s military caretaker governor, Matur Chut Dhuol, from his position, but these calls have so far been overlooked.
Local police say state authorities have become increasingly isolated, with the public refusing to share information with law enforcement officers, making in difficult to investigate killings and maintain law and order in the region.
(ST)