S. Sudan’s Gogrial community laud appointment of ex-presidential aide
March 20, 2018 (JUBA) – Community leaders from South Sudan’s Gogrial state said the president made a “wise decision” to appoint Mayen Wol Jong as undersecretary.
“The appointment of Moulana (justice) Mayen Wol by his Excellency, the president of the republic, General Salva Kiir Mayardit has finally put a nail in the coffin of a desperate campaign and attempt to tarnish not only his image, his family, professional standing but indeed the personality of his Excellency himself for whom he was serving in his office. The court cleared him but the action of his Excellency has taken it a notch higher to reclaim his standing and professional integrity”, partly reads a congratulatory message to the president.
The appointment caused mixed reaction as Wol was among the individuals previously accused of playing a role in the loss of more than $14 million and 30 million South Sudanese Pounds at the office of the president.
The state pursued the case and Wol was among 16 officials sentenced to life in prison.
However, his relatives appealed the case and the former chief administrator at the presidency was among six of the 16 people acquitted by the High Court after being convicted. His appointment surprised members of the public.
In another order, president Kiir appointed Agak Achuil, an undersecretary at the ministry of finance. Last month, the ex-finance minister, Stephen Dhieu suspended Achuil for allegedly requesting over 300 million South Sudanese Pounds from the Central Bank in favor of a private company.
The presidential spokesman Ateny Wek Ateny defended the president’s decision, saying accusations of corruption and nepotism in the government were false claims from government critics.
Ateny said Wol was appointed because he was cleared by the court after finding no charges against him and the suspension of Achuil has allegedly been settled through administrative means.
He added that neither Wol nor Achuil was legally proven wrong to deny them opportunities to serve the nation because of previous allegations against them.
(ST)