Jonglei parliament accepts governor’s resignation
August 5, 2013 (BOR)- The legislative assembly of South Sudan’s Jonglei state approved on Monday the resignation of governor Kuol Manyang Juuk, the country’s newly appointed defense minister.
Several MPs said that the former governor resigned out of good will and was determined to the new nation in a much bigger capacity.
Manyang was among the surprise inclusions in president Salva Kiir’s newly formed cabinet, which was formed after 23 July dissolution of the entire government.
While addressing reporters shortly after the assembly sitting, the speaker of Jonglei state assembly, Peter Chol Wal said lawmaker were delighted about Manyang’s recent appointment as defense minister.
“The assembly members unanimously passed the resignation letter”, Wal said.
He further appealed on president Kiir to consider the situation of Jonglei state, saying they need somebody who will follow the steps and the plans laid by the former governor .
He cited the shaky security situation as the first challenge in Jonglei, urging the president to appoint a person who will fully understand the situation and nature Jonglei, politically and socially.
“In our deliberation, I think there was no difficult issue. [The resignation] was passed easily because most of the people, thanked the governor for what he has done, [and] because you know Kuol Manyang was brought to this state from the national government before the independence of South Sudan to maintain security in Jonglei state”, Wal explained.
For now, lawmakers say the position of governor would be filled by caretaker to be appointed by the president. The caretaker will serve for 60 days, according to the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan, after which elections will be held to elect a new governor.
Observers, however, say this constitutional provision has been breached in the Lakes state where a no elections have been held since the elected governor Chol Tong Mayay was sacked by the president over six months ago.
(ST)