Jonglei governor fires Fangak county commissioner

April 1, 2014 (BOR) – The caretaker governor of South Sudan’s Jonglei state, Lt. Gen. John Kong has decreed the sacking of John Matien Kuol, formerly the commissioner for Fangak county.

Kuol, who was appointed to the post last year, allegedly failed to control his subjects, many of whom have reportedly shown support for opposition forces led by former vice-president, Riek Machar.

Kong, in a decree issued last week, also sacked commissioners of Akobo, Uror, Ayod and Nyirol counties.

Located north-west of Jonglei, Fangak, the most populous county state is inhabited by the Luo Nuer tribe. Incidentally, all the five sacked commissioners were from Luo Nuers counties.

South Sudan’s largest state in size, Jonglei, has changed hands three times between the army and opposition forces loyal to Machar since violence broke out in mid-December last year.

Over 10,000 people have reportedly been killed and a million displaced since fighting broke out.

(ST)