Kiir names Mining minister, promotes two diplomats

December 1, 2021 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir on Wednesday appointed Major Gen Martin Abucha as the country’s new minister for Mining.

The appointment was made in a decree read on the state-owned television (SSBC).

The ministerial position has been vacant since Henry Odwar resigned in August.

It remains unclear whether Gen Abucha, who was the Executive Director in the office of the First Vice President Riek Machar, had been relieved from the post.

The newly-appointed minister was the armed opposition movement (SPLM-IO) representative to the Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangement Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMM), the body monitoring the ceasefire.

Kiir, in a separate decree, promoted two diplomats to grade-three ambassadors.

Those promoted are Ambassadors James Solomon Padiet and Aker Deng Majok.

(ST)