Lakes state caretaker governor appoints new cabinet

March 1, 2014 (RUMBEK) – The caretaker governor of South Sudan’s Lakes state Maj-Gen Matur Chut Dhuol has for the first time reshuffled his cabinet 13 months after his appointment by President Salva Kiir.

The governor, in a decree issued Friday evening, appointed some of his strongest critics in the state parliament into senior positions. The newly appointed also include four MPs who had earlier opposed Dhuol’s decisions in parliament.

The promoted MPs, include Mariak Nanga Marik, Marial Amuom Malek, Jok Ayom Majak and Dhieu Wal Takping.

The decree received negative reactions from public, with some accusing Dhuol of using the appointments to silence his strongest critics.

The new appointments also fell short of the 25% affirmative action usually accorded to women as per the country’s constitution.

Since his appointment, Dhuol has been at odds with students, young people and intellectuals from Lakes state over the manner on which he handled state affairs.

There have been several attempts by activists to have Dhuol removed, but President Kiir has overlooked these efforts. Under South Sudan’s constitution, an election should be held within 90 days, should the President remove a governor. This has not happened in the country’s three states where governor’s were removed last year.

Last week, however, Governor Dhuol closed down two military prisons which he had established to detain political opponents and cattle raiding suspects in the state.

The new state advisors, according to the decree include, Adak Costa Mapuor, Advisor for gender and human right affairs and Marial Amuom Malek, Advisor for security.

On the other hand, the governor’s new list of ministers include, Marik Nanga Marik (information and communication), Jok Ayom Majak (local government and law enforcement agency), Mayen Kuc Adhil (physical infrastructure), Alpayo Adet (agriculture, animal and forestry), Dhieu Wal Takping (labour and public service) and Dut Makoi Kuok who take over the education, science and technology ministry.

The new decree also saw Madong William Mading appointed the new commissioner for Rumbek East county replacing Mr. David Marial Gumke, while Marial Machar is the new commissioner for Rumbek North County replacing Mathiang Deng Monydit. Mayen Kuc, the Rumbek Central commissioner has been replaced by Mawat Manuer.

(ST)