A decision by Jonglei State Deputy Governor Jacob Akech Dengdit to suspend the lands minister was aimed at quelling tensions sparked by orders issued by the minister in Bor town, a government spokesman said.

Minister Isaac Mamer Ruk was suspended and ordered to hand over to the police his office stamp and letterhead in an order made public last Thursday.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Friday, John Samuel Manyuon, who is also the state information minister, said the deputy governor acted in good faith.

“I don’t term that one as a suspension as the letter reads. There is a difference between a suspension and a stay-home order. So, it is administrative, and the leadership will clearly come out as soon as possible,” Manyuon said. “But that was an immediate measure to take. It is not yet a suspension but a stay-home thing because, on Thursday, there were riots in the market in Bor. I believe it was instigated by some orders of the land minister.”

The state government spokesperson insisted that his colleague was not suspended but that the state leadership acted swiftly to restore calm in the state capital, Bor.

“The minister is not suspended from his role, but it is an administrative measure to see how we can deal with such a situation. The situation is getting out of hand. We don’t know what is happening or who to blame,” he said.

For his part, Minister Mamer said his suspension notice gives no reason but that his decision over a land ownership dispute could have contributed to his suspension by the deputy governor.

“There was a complaint from some citizens in Jonglei State. During the allotment of 2006, 2007, and 2008, some plots were allotted to women groups to sell vegetables. It was plot No. 444 and plot No. 222, and UNDP built the place. But those women were evicted in that place by force, and the place was sold to somebody with a lot of US dollars, but I later reversed that order,” he explained.