Salva Kiir. Photo: VOA
Juba, December 30, 2020 (SSNA) — President Salva Kiir has appointed six deputy governors of Unity, Eastern Equatoria, Lakes, Western Equatoria, Western Bar el Ghazal, and Jonglei States. The two main parties to the revitalized peace agreement, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement -In Opposition (SPLM-IO) and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement -In Government (SPLM-IO) each got three deputy governors.
In a presidential decree broadcasted on the state-run SSBC television, Kiir appointed Mary Lodira as deputy governor of Eastern Equatoria State (SPLM-IO), Dr. Kennedy Gaaniko Clement – deputy governor of Western Equatoria State (SPLM-IG), Poth Madit Dut – deputy governor of Lakes State (SPLM-IO), Antipas Nyok – deputy governor of Jonglei State (SPLM-IG), Tor Tungwar Kueigwong – deputy governor of Unity State (SPLM-IO), and Angelo Taban Biego – deputy governor of Western Bar el Ghazal State (SPLM-IG).
President Kiir, First Vice President Dr. Machar, and other political leaders have not yet agree on deputy governors of Central Equatoria, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, and Warrap States. Kiir and Machar are still negotiating on the issue of the Upper State. Kiir repeatedly refused to appoint General Johnson Olony as governor of the Upper State. The SPLM-IO said it will change its nominee.
The South Sudan News Agency (SSNA) was told by a senior SPLM-IO official on Wednesday night that the appointment of the six deputy governors was not properly shared by the two parties and that the President “acted without first securing SPLM-IO final say as the peace agreement demands.”
South Sudan’s peace partners have not completed the formation of the transitional government as stipulated in the peace deal more than ten months after they agreed in February this year to work together.