Kiir sacks army chief, three ministers in major reshuffle
By Denis Ejulu
President Salva Kiir on Wednesday sacked Dau Aturjong Nyuol, the chief of defense forces of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) nearly four months after he was appointed.
Kiir in a decree aired on state television (SSBC) appointed Paul Nang Majok to replace Aturjong as army chief. The latter was sacked in July when Kiir appointed Aturjong in his place.
Meanwhile, Aturjong was appointed technical advisor in the ministry of defense and veterans affairs.
The president who did not give reasons for the changes also relieved Lam Akol Ajawin, the minister of transport and replaced him with Rizik Zakaria Hassan who previously served as minister for wildlife conservation and tourism.
Kiir also appointed Denay Jock Chagor, the former governor of Jonglei State to replace Zakaria as the minister of wildlife conservation and tourism.
In addition, the president replaced Beny Gideon Mabor, who had been recently appointed as the minister of East African Affairs. Kiir in the latest decree replaced him with former police chief, Pieng Deng Kuol.
The changes come in the wake of the ongoing tensions and clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in opposition (SPLA-IO)- the opposition forces led by the suspended First Vice President, Riek Machar.
Machar, and seven co-accused opposition members are currently facing charges of treason, murder, and crimes against humanity following the attack on the SSPDF base in March by the White Army militia in Nasir, Upper Nile State which left more than 250 soldiers.
