Kiir appoints ex-defence minister as caretaker governor of Jonglei state
November 14, 2013 (BOR) – South Sudan President Salva Kiir has appointed former defence minister John Koang Nyuon as the caretaker governor for Jonglei State.
He replaces Kuol Manyang Juuk who was four months ago appointed by the president to serve as his defence minister in the national government.
Nyuon’s appointment has been well received in Jonglei, according to Thon Nyok, who was a spokesman for members of parliament opposed to extension of the term of the now former caretaker governor, Hussein Maar.
“I received a lot of [phone] calls from our village chiefs and elders, that the appointment of John Koang was well received,” Nyok told Sudan Tribune by phone.
“Koang was the governor of this region during the time of the war and he knows most of our chiefs and they know him too,” added Nyok who said by appointing Nyuon, ‘‘the president had done what we expected him to do.’’
The appointment of Nyuon in Jonglei, officials say, will settle the political uncertainty in the state after its parliament failed to vote for an extension by 60 days for the term of the former caretaker governor.
Maar recently returned to Bor from Juba after a two week’s absence following the failure by the state assembly to extend his term. He previously occupied the three positions of acting governor, deputy governor as well as minister of information and communication.
(ST)
