S. Sudan’s Kiir, governors discuss current political situation

July 29, 2013 (JUBA) – South Sudan president Salva Kiir on Monday summoned governors from all the country’s 10 states to discuss the current political situation, a week after he dissolved government.

Kiir, in a decree issued on 23 July, relieved his vice-president, Riek Machar and dissolved the entire government. He also reduced the numbers of ministries to just 19 from 29.

While addressing journalists shortly after the meeting, Jonglei state governor, Kuol Manyang, described the president’s move as the “first major decision ever taken in the young nation”.

“The world feared that there will be crisis and violence,” he said, adding that South Sudanese later proved them wrong.

The governors of Lakes, Unity, Eastern Equatoria and Western Bahr el Ghazal have, in recent weeks, openly expressed their support in favour of Kiir’s recent decision to dissolve his government.

Until now, however, it remains unclear what Kiir and his governors discussed at the close-door meeting, with consultations on formation of the new cabinet and appointment of a new vice-president said to have been high on the day’s agenda.

Western countries, including the US, have expressed concern over power vacuum and delay to appoint a new cabinet after last week government dissolution.

John Kerry, the U.S secretary of state has urged Kiir to “quickly and transparently” from a new government, in a manner that respects the country’s constitution and reflects the diversity of its people.

The top US official, in a telephone conversation with the South Sudan leader on Monday, reportedly stressed the importance of putting an end to the crisis in Jonglei, as well as addressing cases of human rights violations in the country.

(ST)