South Sudan’s Kiir sacks Foreign Affairs minister

March 7, 2023 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir on Wednesday sacked Foreign Affairs minister, Mayiik Ayii Deng without giving reasons.

In a decree announced on the state-owned television (SSBC), Kiir assigned the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Deng Dau Deng to act as the new minister.

Mayiik, a former Presidential Affairs minister, became Foreign minister in 2021.

His removal comes barely a week after Kiir fired the Defence minister Angelina Teny and Interior minister Mahmoud Solomon through a presidential directive.

The armed opposition faction (SPLM-IO) led by First Vice President Riek Machar rejected the unilateral removal of the Defence minister, calling for reinstatement.

In August last year, the parties to the revitalised peace agreement announced the extension of the transitional government for additional 24 months.

(ST)