President Kiir’s decree was in response to public calls and austerity measures: official
July 25, 2013 (JUBA) – The under-secretary of the foreign affairs and international cooperation ministry, Charles Manyang D’awol, told media on Wednesday that South Sudan president Salva Kiir’s dissolution of the cabinet had come in response to public calls for a leaner more effective government, particularly at a time of austerity.
Kiir issued the decrees on Tuesday effectively dissolving his entire cabinet and relieving his long time vice-president, Riek Machar Teny, who had earlier declared his intention to challenge for the leadership at the 2015 elections.
“Over the past few months, there has been an intermittent political debate on whether or not the country could afford a large and broad-based government, given its current austerity condition,” he said.
“The president of the republic, Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit, ended this debate decisively by dissolving the cabinet to give way for the formation of new, lean and more efficient and effective government,” he added.
Manyang also dismissed claims the decision came as a result of power struggle and would ignite unrest in the country.
He said the decree was a legitimate exercise of the president’s powers, adding that it had largely been well received by the populace.
“Indeed these decrees have been well received by the public and hence civil tranquillity will not be disturbed in anyway,” he told reporters.
AMUM SUSPENDED
The president, who is yet to announce the line-up of his new cabinet, also ordered the suspension of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) party’s secretary-general, Pagan Amum, who has publicly criticised both the government and the SPLM over its handling of a number of key issues.
According to Manyang, Amum’s marks a significant turn in the way the party conducts its activities, adding that it is a positive step towards bringing increased transparency and accountability in the way it conducts its affairs.
A five-member committee, headed by the leader of the national legislative assembly speaker, James Wani Igga, has been tasked with investigating allegations Amum made comments inciting tribal sentiments in the country after he criticised a presidential order that lifted the immunity of cabinet affairs minister Deng Alor Kuol and finance and economic planning minister Kosti Manibe Ngai, both of whom were implicated in a questionable $8 million transfer for the purchase of fire safety equipment without the president’s knowledge or authorisation.
Amum is also accused of using the public media to discredit the party and its leadership, as well as impeding the proper functioning of party structures.
PRESIDENT’S DECISION WAS JUSTIFIED
In an exclusive interview with Sudan Tribune, advocate and civil activist Dong Samuel Luak said that under the under the transitional constitution, the president has the right to remove the vice-president and dissolve the cabinet.
He said civil activists had cautiously welcomed the move, adding that the stability of the country should be put first.
Dong told Sudan Tribune that with a high number of weapons still in the hands of civilians, he said there was a risk that some people may take advantage of the situation to destabilise security in the country.
He called on the president to appoint his new cabinet wisely, saying the party needed new faces that respect people’s rights and the rule of law otherwise it would be difficult for the country to move forward.
The political situation in South Sudan has been dominating social media networks, drawing mixed reactions from the public.
Continued uncertainty about security in the capital resulted in some businesses and organisations telling their staff not to come in to work until further notice.
Meanwhile, a reported gunshot on Wednesday in Konyo-Konyo market, one of the busiest markets in Juba, sparked panic in the city, with people running in all directions and shop owners closing.
(ST)