Dear Dr. Sunday de John, Many greetings.
I have carefully read your open letter addressed to H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit concerning Hon. Atong Kuol Manyang Juuk, Minister of Trade and Industry. While every citizen has the democratic right to express concerns about public officials, it is unfortunate that your article failed to acknowledge the many positive contributions Hon. Atong Kuol has made to the people of South Sudan, both during her service in Jonglei State and now as the national Minister of Trade and Industry.
In pursuance of your claim regarding the suspension of a Director General in the Ministry of Fisheries is inaccurate. The actual case was for the State Ministry of Health, where the Director General acted beyond legal authority and demonstrated insubordination toward the Minister. Hon. Atong Kuol had also followed the rightful administrative and legal procedures before the suspension.
However, at that time, I served as the State Minister of Cabinet Affairs and was directed by Governor Denay Jock Chagor to oversee the matter and conduct further findings, alongside the National Security and Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in the state. The matter was concluded lawfully in accordance with the Civil Service Act, 2011, through a properly constituted disciplinary committee under the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs (consult the state Ministry of Cabinet Affairs files for more reference).
Regarding the issue involving Hon. Akech Dengdit and Hon. Atong Kuol, it is important to clarify that both leaders come from Duk County, and Hon. Akech, the then Deputy Governor and SPLM State Chairperson, exercised his authority in reassigning Hon. Atong from the Ministry of Health to the Ministry of Fisheries. Contrary to expectations that she would reject the assignment, she accepted it and transformed what was previously a neglected ministry building, virtually a place occupied by bats, into one of the best functioning ministries in the state. This demonstrated her commitment to service rather than personal pride.
Your assertion that there was a serious political fallout between Governor Denay Jock Chagor and Hon. Atong Kuol, as a Deputy Governor, is also misleading information. For your information, if the two had been given more time to work together, Jonglei State would likely have experienced one of its healthiest administrations, like it was during the tenure of Governor Gen. Kuol Manyang Juuk and later Governor Gen. John Kong Nyuon. Their government was not the disaster you portray.
Yes, disagreements did arise between Hon. Atong Kuol and Governor Majub Biel Turuk over administrative resources, but responsibility also rested with the Governor, who often chose to resolve matters publicly and online rather than through internal administrative channels. Upon her return from Nairobi, Hon. Atong had to clear her reputation against the claims by the said Governor. Besides, much of that conflict was politically motivated, particularly during the SSOA-led government, where many SPLM members felt sidelined and humiliated. These were political tensions, not merely personal arrogance. At the time, I was the State Minister of General Education and Instruction on the SPLM ticket.
On the issue of the former undersecretary, remember that constitutional office holders and top civil servant positions, such as undersecretaries, managing directors, and heads of quasi-government institutions, are appointed and relieved by presidential prerogative. These are constitutional powers exercised by the President. It is therefore misleading to attribute that Hon. Atong questions the appointment of the former undersecretary (Hon. Achier), but leveling the dismissal of the undersecretary solely to Hon. Atong’s personality or alleged arrogance is not true. Later on, Hon. Achier was appointed as undersecretary in another ministry and was also relieved. Would that also be blamed on Hon. Atong?
Concerning the Crawford Capital Digital Payment System, the public response was indeed emotional, but it was largely in support of Hon. Atong before she respectfully complied with directives from James Wani Igga, the Vice President in charge of the Economic Cluster. A Council of Ministers resolution is not a rigid finality without room for technical implementation adjustments. During execution, institutions responsible for implementation and follow-up may apply technical interpretations or modifications for practical purposes. Such actions do not necessarily amount to violating cabinet decisions. Furthermore, cabinet resolutions can be amended or reviewed through proper feedback mechanisms from the institutions concerned.
Your interpretation of her Eye Radio interview also distorts the intended meaning of her statement. Hon. Atong was simply emphasizing that the government has multiple urgent priorities, including the national security issues, which every citizen knows about, like the ongoing wars and conflicts. Thus, informing the citizens that security remains the first obligation of any government. To me, she was asking citizens for patience and cooperation, not criticizing the government within, defending corruption, or insulting the suffering citizens, as you put it.
As for the widely quoted phrase, “The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on,” Hon. Atong did not invent this statement. It is a well-known Arabic proverb she quoted, not a personal insult authored by her. In academic and professional writing, quoted expressions should be understood within their original context rather than twisted for political attacks.
In conclusion, Doctor, your article appears politically motivated and excessively negative. Hon. Atong Kuol is a leader known for speaking directly and honestly rather than engaging in hidden politics or backdoor manipulation. President Salva Kiir Mayardit is fully aware that some politicians are uncomfortable with the success and effectiveness of their colleagues. For this reason, I respectfully believe Hon. Atong deserves continued trust and greater opportunity to serve under the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
South Sudan needs constructive criticism, not character assassination. Leadership should be judged fairly, with a balance between criticism and recognition of service.
Respectfully,
Gordon Koang Bar Malieth,
Former minister of cabinet affairs, and previous general education minister, Jonglei State.
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