South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has issued a decree sacking his long-time serving spokesperson Ateny Wek Ateny.

Through a presidential decree read on state-run television in Juba on Friday night, the president sent home his press secretary and gave no reason for his dismissal.

Ateny, a former political commentator, was appointed presidential press secretary by President Kiir in November 2013.

Ateny was appointed as press secretary under ‘Grade 1. Super Scale’ in the civil service.

At the peak of his career as spokesperson, Ateny was a subject of controversy for defending the president and government decisions, especially during the devastating civil war.