Northern Bahr el Ghazal governor fires political advisor
By Ngor Arol Garang
February 1, 2012 (JUBA)- Paul Malong Awan, governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal state, on Tuesday issued a gubernatorial order relieving his political advisor, Jal Malith Jal from his post.
Four other officials including two cabinet members have also left their positions. Peter Kuot Jel, Minister of physical infrastructure and Tong Akeen, minister of health are among those affected by the gubernatorial order.
Yel Deng Nguel, a security advisor and food security advisor, Ismail Ibrahim Ahmed, who is reported to have died months ago, have also been relieved from their duties by the order.
No justification has yet been given for the decision although supporters of the affected groups attributed the cause of the dismissal to political rivalry over loyalty to the state governor and the leadership of South Sudan’s ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) in the state.
In the case of the Minister of Physical Infrastructure, his firing is in line with the vote of no confidence from the State Legislative Assembly in October.
Yel Deng Nguel, a security advisor on Wednesday confirmed his dismissal and said he welcomed the decision by the governor.
Nguel and political advisor Jal Malith Jal were among the top state officials reported to have stood with the state members of parliament against the arbitrary arrest of constitutional post holders and citizens.
The officials were reported to have stood with the members of the house in favour of the motion demanding the removal of the minister of finance, Ronald Ruay Deng over his ineptitude and financial irregularities in the 2011 annual budget.
Garang Majak Bol, a member of the State Assembly, currently in Juba, also confirmed changes made in the state and said he knew the two officials would be removed.
“They are real cadres of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement. They were senior military officers during the liberation struggle. So they know what they fought for. This is why they have always showed interest in issues related to the common interest”, he said. Bol, who is also member of the SPLM.
Bol said there are individuals in the current state government who do not tolerate opposing views, however constructive they may be.
(ST)