New Lakes state cabinet sworn in amid SPLM boycott
March 4, 2014 (RUMBEK) – Lakes state military caretaker Governor Maj-Gen Matur Chut Dhuol has sworn in his newly appointed ministers on Tuesday despite the senior figures from the ruling party – Sudan people’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) – boycotting the ceremony.
The SPLM office in Lakes state claim they were not informed by the caretaker governor ahead of the cabinet reshuffle on Friday or invited to the ceremony on Tuesday.
According to the SPLM’s manifesto, ministerial nominations are suppose to be approved by ruling party before the governor issues a decree to form a new cabinet.
The SPLM Lakes state secretary Mabor Ater Dhuol and other members of the secretariat refused to attend the swearing in ceremony in protest.
Governor issued a decree on Friday evening appointing some of his strongest critics in the state parliament into senior positions, including four MPs who had previously 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, in the event that the President removes a governor.
However, in the three states where governor’s were removed last year this has not occurred.
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.
The governor’s new 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)