Jonglei & E. Equatoria governors back Kiir’s decision to dissolve government

July 24, 2013 (BOR/TORIT) – Jonglei state governor Kuol Manyang has backed a presidential decree removing South Sudan’s vice-president, Riek Machar, and dissolving the government, calling it a “wise decision”.

According to a series of presidential decrees read on South Sudan Television (SSTV) on Tuesday, the country’s 29 national ministries were reduced to 18, while their ministers and deputy ministers were all relieved.

The governor said Machar had publicly criticised the government’s performance and that president Salva Kiir’s decision was completely understandable given the circumstances, adding that there was “no need to maintain him in the office as the vice-president”.

Manyang said Machar’s sacking means he “will be free to form his own political party in the country”.

The relationship between Machar and the president has soured over the past year after they locked horns over the government’s management style and handling of certain issues.

Manyang revealed Machar had also informed the president he was planning to contest Kiir’s candidacy at the 2015 elections.

He described Machar’s actions as a sign of hostility and said the vice-president should have stood down after publicly saying he had lost confidence in Kiir.

SIMILAR CALLS MADE

Manyang’s Eastern Equatoria state counterpart, Louis Lobong Lojore also hailed the presidential decrees resolving cabinet saying President Kiir had finally answered citizens’ call for a small cabinet size.

Lojore, who briefed his ministers on Wednesday about the cabinet situation, urged citizens in the state to remain calm in anticipation for better service delivery.

He however described Tuesday’s reshuffle as a “normal exercise” within the president’s constitutional powers and advised the population not to misinterpret Kiir’s actions.

The governor also appealed to the population to fully back the south-ruling (SPLM) party, adding that it was the population that entrusted it with governing the new nation during the 2010 general elections.

POWER STRUGGLES

South Sudan’s ruling party (SPLM) has increasingly been paralysed by internal bickering and power struggles.

Earlier this month, Kiir removed his former ally, the governor of Unity state Taban Deng, amid reports he had been campaigning in Washington to win support for Machar’s candidature for the presidency.

Not long before that, he suspended cabinet affairs minister Deng Alor and finance minister Kosti Manibe over corruption allegations.

Both Machar and SPLM secretary-general Pagan Amum criticised Kiir over his handling of the matter, calling it a political decision and an abuse of power.

The president has also ordered that Amum be investigated, accusing him of inciting violence and criticising his actions.

(ST)