W. Bahr el Ghazal governor appoints new deputy
November 4, 2013 (JUBA)- The governor of South Sudan’s Western Bahr el Ghazal state has appointed his new deputy, a month after formation of the latest cabinet.
Akol’s removal, however, came as no surprise after reports emerged that he plans to contest for the gubernatorial position in the next general elections.
The ex-deputy governor, according to his supporters, played a key role in the ouster of former governor, Mark Nyipuoc, who is currently the deputy speaker of the country’s national assembly.
Lately, however, the governor and his former deputy are said to have fallen out, with critics of the former claiming he incited a recent petition, in which 12 government officials, rejected Akol’s appointment as education minister.
The petitioners, who comprised of cabinet ministers, state advisors, lawmakers and a county commissioner claimed the ex-deputy governor hailed from neigbouring Warrap state, an allegations that caused division in the area.
But while speaking at a graduation ceremony organised in the South Sudan capital, Juba last month, Rizik denied any link to the petition, saying those behind it were individuals trying to cause division within his administration for personal benefits.
He instead appealed to citizens and politicians alike to unite and distance themselves from “individuals with special interests” whose activities should be closely monitored and exposed.
The governor, in his 2 November order, also maintained Garang as the state minister for physical infrastructure and urban development.
(ST)