South Sudan’s Terekeka state deputy governor resigns

May 31, 2016 (JUBA) – Deputy governor of South Sudan’s newly-created Terekeka state [Central Equatoria state], has resigned, citing poor working relationship with governor, Juma Ali Malou.

Deputy governor, Clement Maring made the announcement for his resignation in a press statement on Tuesday. He accused the governor of handling the state as his personal asset and undermining his authority as deputy governor.

He claimed that the governor had been delegating powers belonging to the deputy governor to selected ministers, and have been traveling with some ministers, doing nothing.

“It would be wise if you would have left the Ministers and the Secretary General or his deputy with me in Terekeka so that we carry out the work, but you don’t want to delegate power, it’s a one man’s show,” said Maring.

Maring is the second official to quit Terekeka government this month. Information minister Modi Lomindi also resigned early in May, citing what he called widespread corruption within the cabinet.

The former Radio Miraya reporter is a Member of Parliament in the state assembly.

At the time of Modi resignation, governor Malou told reporters that there was no evidence to prove any corrupt practices in the state.

But the latest resignation of deputy governor, Maring, is putting pressure on governor Malou’s government.

Former deputy governor, Maring, claimed being humiliated and threatened by governor Malou publicly.

“This is completely unacceptable to work in such a situation,” he said. Governor Malou declined to comment when contacted on Tuesday.

President Salva Kiir divided the country into 28 controversial states in October 2015, segmenting the country along ethnic lines. Terekeka is exclusively inhabited by Mundari tribe.

(ST)