UPDATED: Mass resignation looms in N. Bahr el Ghazal state
September 17, 2014 (AWEIL/JUBA) – Almost half of South Sudan’s Northern Bahr el Ghazal state ministers are set to resign from government in coming days, a cabinet member told Sudan Tribune.
“The governor who is only six months in his position is being misled by his closest relatives to frustrate the work of some ministers who are viewed as diehard supporters of the former governor, Gen. Paul Malong Awan,” the official said Wednesday.
“He [Kuel] fears to uproot those whom Gen. Awan had employed in this government and his only way out is to frustrate us so that we leave this government so he can bring in his relatives. We are therefore making his work easier,” he added.
The dissenting group reportedly enjoy a large following among the locals and their exit could cause insecurity in the relatively peaceful border region of the young nation.
“If their resignation sails through, it will be a big blow to the new governor whom observers see as liberal person with no military background,” said a source familiar with the matter.
MINISTER BACKS GOVERNOR
The state health minister described accusations labeled against the governor as untrue.
“Honorable Kuel Aguer is a son of Northern Bahr El Ghazal state and he has all the right to lead the state,” Tong Deng Anei told Sudan Tribune on Thursday.
Kuel was appointed caretaker governor upon being recommended by Gen. Awan whom president Salva Kiir appointed the army’s new chief of general staff in April.
(ST).