Northern Bahr el Ghazal governor fires three commissioners

By Ngor Arol Garang

February 10, 2012 (JUBA)- Northern Bahr el Ghazal state governor, Paul Malong Awan, on Friday issued a gubernatorial order relieving three county commissioners of their posts, a week after relieving his political advisor, Jal Malith Jal.

Other officials, including Peter Kuot Jel, minister of physical infrastructure and state security advisor Yel Deng Nguel, were also dismissed without replacements being announced.

The three commissioners Awan removed on Friday included Kawac Deng Kawac, from Aweil East, Diera Madut Chan, from Aweil Central and Isaac Lual Chol, from Aweil West.

It is unclear why the governor dismissed five senior officials in one day. None of the officials have spoken to the media since they were removed.

However, Governor Awan’s close aides argue it is the “prerogative” of the state governor to relieve and appoint with or without consultation with the local communities.

In South Sudan county commissioners are not elected but appointed by the state governor, who also has the power to remove them. State levels ministers and advisors are normally MPs who represent constituencies in the state parliament. They are also appointed by the governor.

(ST)