Machar appoints female executive director

February 1, 2022 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s First Vice President, Riek Machar has appointed a female executive director in his office, attracting praises from activists who lauded efforts to fulfill the 35% women affirmative.

Nyanaguek Kuol Mareng, who hails from the disputed region of Abyei, replaces Martin Gama Abucha who is currently the country’s national minister for Mining.

She served in several capacities, including at the national secretariat of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) before it split into factions in 2013.

Machar had earlier nominated Nyanaguek for the position of deputy Interior minister, but her nomination was rejected by South Sudan President Salva Kiir.

She previously also served as Information minister of South Sudan’s Warrap state.

By appointing a female to the influential position, Machar’s armed opposition movement (SPLM-IO) is among parties seen as fulfilling the 35% women representative in all decision-making processes and institutions as stipulated in the 2018 peace accord.

For instance, out of the nine ministerial slots allocated to Machar’s party in cabinet, three are females. Also, of the three gubernatorial positions, one is female while another is currently the deputy governor of Eastern Equatoria state.

(ST)