SPLM sacks N. Bahr el Ghazal secretary-general

January 4, 2015 (JUBA) – The ruling party (SPLM) branch in South Sudan’s Northern Bahr el Ghazal state on Saturday sacked its secretary general, among other officials.

The circumstances under which changes were made remain unclear, with analysts saying it could be an attempt by the leadership to consolidate its position ahead of the upcoming elections.

Athian Teng Angok, the deputy SPLM chairperson in the state was removed and replaced with Jel Mangok Jel while the secretary George Garang Lual was succeeded by Unguec Angui.

The meeting was chaired by the SPLM state chairperson, Gen. Paul Malong Awan, who also doubles as the army’s chief of general staff.

The current state information minister, Wek Kuc was also removed as head of information and communications at the secretariat and replaced with Akec Akeen.

Jok Lual head of political affairs and syndicated organizations was named deputy secretary general, replacing Uguec who has been promoted to the position of secretary general while Kuac Wek Wol, formerly the state minister for education was named the ruling party’s head of political affairs and syndicated organisations.

Wol is one of the four MPs reinstated last week after losing party membership in 2012 allegedly over misconduct and indiscipline.

(ST)