President Salva Kiir has made major changes in Western Equatoria and Northern Bahr el-Ghazal State governments.
The changes, effected on Thursday evening, affected state advisors, cabinet ministers, county commissioners and members of the independent commissions.
In Western Equatoria State, Kiir replaced Economic Advisor Samuel Bati, with Grace Apollo Musa, and then appointed the former as State Advisor on Peace and Security.
Ministers Paulino David Simbi of Culture Youth and Sport, Grace Apollo Musa of General Education and Instruction, James Severino Morris of Local Government and Law Enforcement, Naumba Mariam Sigini of Animal Resources, Fisheries and Tourism, Anna Tuna Richard of Roads and Bridges, John Ada of Parliamentary Affairs, and Alison Barnaba of Agriculture, Forestry and Environment, were all relieved of their duties.
Kiir appointed ministers Charles Gamburipai for Culture, Youth and Sports, Dr Monday Daniel for General Education and Instruction, Alison Barnaba for Local Government and Law Enforcement, Samuel Simon Zigizo for Animal Resources, Fisheries and Tourism, Emmy Emmanuel Laverick for Roads and Bridges, John Obote for Parliamentary Affairs and Letisia Benito Bagafu for Agriculture, Forestry and Environment.
The President appointed Margaret Fozia Emmanuel as the Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission and Jeromu Kumba to replace the late Veronica Ani Michael as the Chairperson of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission. Michael Ismail was appointed Yambio County Commissioner, replacing Alfred Barakati.
In the Western Equatoria, the President revoked the appointment of Wakila Charles Ngamunde as Speaker of the State Parliament, and Letisia Banito Ngafu, Hellen Oliver Wamite, and Moses Sambia as lawmakers.
He appointed Ann Tuna Richard the Speaker and Philip Gambi Samuel and Bage Mbiko James as state lawmakers.
In Northern Bahr el-Ghazal, Kiir replaced the Advisor for Peace and Security, Joseph Akok Aleu, and Awet Kiir Awet, the Advisor on Legal Affairs with Awet Kiir Awet, and Garang Dut Gar respectively.
Ministers Wei Dut Akol of Finance, Planning and Investment, Daniel Deng Deng of Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Development, Monica Nyibol Aleu of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, Abor Gordon Nhial of Peacebuilding, and Peter Dut Akot of Animal Resources, Fisheries and Tourism were all relieved of their duties.
Kiir then appointed ministers Peter Dut Akot for Finance, Planning and Investment, Hekima Ali Malek for Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Development, Theresa Aker Malual for Gender, Child and Social Welfare, Peter Dut Kuot for Peacebuilding, and Akol Wol Mawien for Animal Resources, Fisheries and Tourism
In the state parliament, Kiir revoked the appointment of Achol William Amoi Mabior, as the Speaker, replacing him with Abuk Jiel Dhieu. Joseph Deng Nguach and Debak Atak Longar were appointed lawmakers. Diing Aher Ngong was replaced by Garang Thiang Deng as Aweil East County Commissioner.
The Chairperson of the Employees Justice Chamber, Jacob Maduok Dau, and HIV/AIDs Commission members Garang Yak Machuak, and Mayar Awel Yel, George Garang Tong, and, Garang Kuac Ariath of the Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation Commission, were all relieved of their duties.
President Kiir appointed Yel Deng Wel, the Chairperson of the Employees Justice Chamber, Joseph Achor, member of the HIV/AIDs Commission, Martin Ahel Garang, and Barcham Woya Ujuok, members of the Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation Commission.
No reasons was given for the changes that affected only members of President Kiir’s Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).