Yirol West County commissioner resigns over interference
April 20, 2022 (JUBA)- The Commissioner of Yirol West County in South Sudan’s Lakes State, Andrew Acheng has resigned, citing the manner in which he was arrested, humiliated and denied access to his residence.
Acheng’s letter was addressed to the First Vice President Riek Machar and copied to Lakes State governor Rin Tueny Mabor as well as his deputy, Poth Madit Dut.
The ex-commissioner, in the April 14th letter, narrated how he was detained at a military prison, humiliated and allegedly forced out by the governor.
“Your excellency, it has been two months since I was humiliated as the sitting commissioner in Yirol Freedom Square and arbitrarily arrested, put behind the bar in Babur-Zeit Military prison, and forced out of the county by Governor Rin Tueny,” Acheng stated in a letter obtained by Sudan Tribune.
According to the former commissioner, the unilaterally-appointed executive director of the county denied him the right to use his residence.
He cited, in his resignation letter, sabotage and responsibility interference, intimidation and security threat and illegal search of his private residence.
Acheng, however, commended Machar’s efforts to resolve the stand-off.
The First Vice President’s office acknowledged the ex-commissioner’s letter.
Machar’s spokesperson, Puok Both Baluang accused the governor of allegedly been working to undermine the authority of the ex- commissioner.
He said the former commissioner was denied his right to serve the people.
“The leadership of the SPLM-IG, and SPLM – IO accepted the resignation of comrade Andrew Acheng, and we wish him all the best,” said Both.
Until recently, relations between President Salva Kiir and Machar have been restrained over how a unified command structure was to be established.
(ST)