South Sudan’s Kiir makes several changes in state leadership

January 26, 2023 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has issued several decrees, removing and replacing officials and legislators in states.

Kiir, in a decree read on the state-owned television (SSBC), sacked Upper Nile State governor, Budhok Ayang Kur, replacing him with James Odhok.

Odhok, a member of the armed opposition faction (SPLM-IO), previously chaired its national committee for culture, youth and sports in Upper Nile.

It is widely anticipated that the former governor’s removal was linked to the recent spate of violence and inter-communal clashes in Upper Nile state.

Separately, Kiir relieved the Unity State advisor on gender, child and social welfare, Yoane Jek Guop. He did not appoint a successor for the position.

The South Sudanese leader also sacked Unity State Minister of Animal Resources and Fisheries, James Tunguar, Rubkona County commissioner, James Gatluak Nyak and state anti-corruption commissioner, Charles Wal.

He appointed Lony Majier as Unity State Minister of Animal Resources and Fisheries, Dhol Khoriom Liling as Rukona County Commissioner and Kuo Majok was appointed the new anti-corruption commissioner in Unity state.

Kiir also appointed Bol Akot Agok as Yirol West County commissioner, replacing Andrew Achieng who resigned after his arrest by state authorities.

Also, Majur Deng was removed from the position of Unity State chairperson of the Employee Justice Chamber and replaced with Lino Kum Ngor.

The decree also affected lawmakers in the Revitalised Transitional National legislative Assembly (RTNLA) from Jonglei, Eastern and Western Equatoria states.

(ST)