Experts urge President Kiir not to rush appointment of Defense Minister
Experts have urged President Salva Kiir to delay the decision to appoint a substantive Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs until the ongoing dispute over the sacking of the former minister Angelina Teny is resolved.
“This would be very good if the President would hold on the appointment of those two positions until consensus is reached,” Abraham Kuol Nyuon, Professor of Political Science at the University of Juba told The Juba Echo in Juba on Thursday.
On March 3rd, President Kiir sacked minister of defense and veterans affairs, Angelina Teny and interior minister Mahmoud Solomon without providing reasons.
He also swapped responsibility over the two ministries which were shared between Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in opposition (SPLM-IO) led by First Vice President Riek Machar and SPLM-IG under President Kiir.
“The only better option is for the two principals to engage in dialogue, it doesn’t matter how long it takes but they should continue to consult one another,” Kuol said.
Angelina Teny who is the wife of Riek Machar is a member of the SPLM-IO a former rebel movement which signed the 2018 revitalized peace agreement with the SPLM-IG and other parties to end years of conflict since December 2013.
Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization encouraged the two sides to reach consensus before rushing to replace Angelina Teny.
“Lack of consensus and consultation among SPLM-IO and SPLM-IG over swapping of the ministries is violation of the peace agreement, and if the President doesn’t want to violate the agreement, he needs to hold on until discussion with Riek Machar are concluded,” Yakani said.
The two leaders are obliged under the peace agreement to consult with each other before taking major decisions in the transitional unity government.
