Warrap governor sacks three county commissioners
September 11, 2013 (AGOK) – The governor of South Sudan’s Warrap state on Wednesday issued an executive order, dismissing three county commissioners from their positions.
Wol Anei Anei, a former Workers Union chairperson, was appointed as the new commissioner of Gogrial East county, replacing Akot Lual Akot.
William Wol Mayom became the new commissioner for Tonj South County, replacing Mario Monydhieth.
Biar Biar Riing takes over from Malek Riing Mathiang as the new county commissioner for Twic.
The commissioners of Tonj North, East and Gogrial West counties all retained their positions.
No changes were reported to have been made in the state cabinet, although officials have speculated that a larger reshuffle may still occur once a new team is assembled.
“The office of the state Governor of Warrap state wishes to confirm to the general public that new changes have been made in the three counties. These changes have been made only in Gogrial East, Tonj South and Twic counties. Gogrial west, Tonj North and East have not been affected”, an aide to governor Nyandeng Malek Deliec told Sudan Tribune on Wednesday.
The official, who did not want to be identified as he is not allowed to speak to the media, said confusion was created by “incorrect” rumours that all Warrap’s county commissioners had been removed from their positions and replaced with complete new faces.
“There have been rumours circulating around and some of the officials including county commissioners have approached the office of the governor this afternoon about reports of the general changes in the counties. I want to tell our people that they should not rely on rumour. Changes have been made but not in all the six counties. These changes are only in the three counties of Twic, Gogrial East and Tonj South. The decree was broadcast by the state radio and the office of the governor availed these orders to the relevant institutions in the state”, he said.
No specific reason was given for the changes, which come as governor Malek battles the infighting in South Sudan’s governing Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and a rising political dissidence that could pose a major challenge in the forthcoming 2015 elections.
Baak Deng, a native of Turalei in Twic County, Warrap State, said the changes made by the state governor should not be taken negatively by those who have been removed from their positions because every decision has a reason.
“As far as I know how the system of government works, changes are made from time to time to bring a new faces to an administration. It does not mean that those removed from their positions have failed to perform. Some of the officials may have performed very well that the government may want to try their experiences and skills elsewhere”, Deng told Sudan Tribune Wednesday.
“It is a normal process, and the governor like the president of the country has given them the assurance that they will continue to be useful to this administration and to this country.”
(ST)