SPLM-IO appoints deputy governor for rebel controlled Bieh state
March 31, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – The chairman and commander-in-chief of the rebel faction of the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) has appointed Koang Rambang Chuol as deputy governor for the newly created Bieh state in a vast Lou Nuer territory which the opposition forces have been controlling.
Former vice-president, Riek Machar, who now leads the armed opposition faction in a circular seen by Sudan Tribune on Tuesday, said the appointment of the official was in accordance with the resolutions of Pagak conference which the movement convened in December last year.
The appointment came into effect from 28 March 2015. Koang will deputize Koang Gatkuoth Kerjiok, the current governor of Bieh state for Greater Akobo of Jonglei state which the opposition split into four states of Pibor, Jonglei, Bieh, and Phow.
Before his new assignment, Koang was the commissioner of Akobo county for the past two years. He was appointed by the current minister of defence, Kuol Manyang Juuk, when he was still the governor of Jonglei state.
However, all the three Greater Akobo counties of Lou Nuer ethnic group have come under the control of the rebel group since December 2013 when the war broke out. All the government appointed commissioners immediately switched their allegiance to Machar.
The Lou Nuer community is the largest single community in Jonglei state and is one of more than 10 major Nuer tribal sections in the country.
The Nuer community with a population of two million have their territory stretching from the border of Gambella region of Ethiopia in the farthest east, crossing the White Nile in central South Sudan and borders Warrap state in Bahr el Ghazal region in the west.
They predominantly are the membership of the rebel group which has been fighting president Salva Kiir’s government and his local and foreign ally forces for the past 15 months.
The newly appointed deputy governor holds a law diploma in Kenya and was doing his final semester for LLB when the war broke out.
He previously worked for UNOCHA, UNDP and UN Resident Coordinator for Upper Nile state for many years before he was appointed commissioner in March 2013.
Machar also appointed Yohanes Pouk as the SPLM-IO representative to Qatar.
(ST)