Liech state governor sacks county commissioner

September 1, 2016 (LEER) – The militarily governor of Liech, one of South Sudan’s newly established states, Ruai Kuol Jal has sacked Leer county commissioner, Major Gabriel Kuong Kuany and immediately replaced him with Brig. Gen Mawich Nhial Thoan.

“In reference to Pagak consultative meeting of the SPLM-IO January 2015 and in line with my appointment as the governor of Liech state. I Lt. Gen Ruai Kuol Jal, governor of Liech state hereby relieved Maj Gabriel Kuong Kuany Dhol as commissioner of Leer County,” reads the governor’s decree.

Kuol, an armed opposition-appointed governor, said the commissioner’s removal followed requests from people.

In the same decree, however, the governor appointed the former Leer county commissioner as the state advisor on information and public relations.

The spokesperson of the governor, Major Weirial Puok Baluang confirmed the sacking of the Leer county commissioner, which he said followed the peoples’ request.

“Well, the action should not be misconstrued by the enemies of peace, but it is the usual procedure in any leadership or institution,” he emphasized.

However, some members of the armed opposition allied to the country’s ex-first vice president Riek Machar said the governor’s decision was not approved by rebel movement. Others claim the reshuffle came as a result of continued assault by government forces in Leer, which forced many rebels to vacate villages under their control.

(ST)