S. Sudan gets new chief whip, deputy ministers reshuffled
November 15, 2013 (JUBA) – Tulio Odongi Ayahu, a member of parliament from Eastern Equatoria state has been named as the new chief whip of the South Sudan Legislative Assembly, replacing Atem Garang de Kuek, according to an executive order broadcast by state-owned South Sudan Television (SSTV) on Thursday.
It remains unclear what caused the change, as neither the minister of information and broadcasting services who speaks for the government nor the office of the president has provided an explanation.
No government official has also commented on the change. However, there is speculation that de Kuek is being lined up by the leadership for a new assignments at the national secretariat of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement.
“These are just normal changes. We were expecting this to have happened in September. The president told us at the caucus meeting when we met to discuss as SPLM nomination of the current speaker and the deputies that position of comrade Atem would be filled and he would be given new assignment at the National Secretariat. I really do not know which position but I think he will be the next Secretary General. This is only my reading”, a member of parliament who did not want to named told Sudan Tribune on Friday.
President Kiir cited chapter III (10) (1) of the conduct of business regulations, read together with article 200 of the 2011 transitional constitution of South Sudan as source of his constitutional powers to make parliamentary changes.
The president, in a separate order, appointed Peter Bashir Gbandi, a veteran politician from Maridi County, Western Equatoria State, as new deputy minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, replacing Elia Wako Nyamellel who was removed in 2012.
Selwa Gibril Beriberi, national expert in the office of the president was relieved of her duties and appointed as the new deputy minister for cabinet affairs, replacing Wek Mamer who was removed during the major cabinet shakeup on 23 July 2013.
Beriberi was the former undersecretary at the ministry of regional cooperation in the regional Southern Sudanese governement before secession from Sudan in July 2011.
The order promoted Paulino Wanawilla Onango to minister of justice at the expense of his former boss John Luk Jok. The parliament rejected Kiir’s attempt to appoint Telar Ring Deng as Jok’s replacement in August, the first time the MPs have not approved a presidential nomination.
Article 101 (c) of the transitional constitution of the republic of South Sudan allows president to appoint constitutional and judicial post holders. However, all appointments must be approved by the national parliament in accordance to article 57 (g) of the 2011 transitional constitution.
The new appointees have not yet been formerly put to parliament for vetting a approval.
The governors of Lakes and Warrap this year appointed cabinets for their state’s without seeking the approval of the state legislatures, drawing public criticism and political boycotts.
This year Kiir has sacked three state governors and replaced them with caretakers. The constitution allows the president to replaced governors if there is a risk to national security, however elections are supposed to be held within two months.
Lakes state’s caretaker governor was appointed in January, Unity state’s in July, while Jonglei’s governor stepped aside to become South Sudan’s defence minister in August. Former defence minister John Koang Nyuon was appointed by Kiir as the caretaker governor for Jonglei on 14 November.
(ST)
ST – Kiir appoints ex-defense minister as caretaker governor of Jonglei state