SPLM- IO calls on President Kiir to reinstate sacked Defense Minister
The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in opposition (SPLM-IO) led by First Vice President Riek Machar has called on President Salva Kiir to reinstate it’s sacked minister of defense and veterans affairs Angelina Teny.
This followed her sacking by President Kiir in a decree issued on Friday last week on State broadcaster (SSBC). Kiir also relieved his interior minister Mahmoud Solomon in the same decree.
“The SPLM-IO political bureau met on the 4th March 2023 to deliberate on the republican decree issued by the President on 3rd March 2023 in which he unilaterally removed the minister of defense and veterans affairs in a republican order,” said a statement issued by the SPLM-IO political bureau in Juba on Sunday.
Kiir also issued another decree that swapped control of the two ministries, meaning the ministry of defense and veterans is now controlled by the SPLM-In Government (SPLM-IG) under his leadership, whereas the ministry of interior will go to SPLM-IO under Riek Machar.
“The President also swapped the ministry of defense and veterans affairs with the ministry of interior, and the SPLM-IO political bureau calls upon the President to revoke the unilateral decree and the republican order, and reinstate Angelina Teny as minister of defense and veterans affairs,” it added.
It condemned and rejected the unilateral removal of Angelina Teny from her office, adding that the decision violated Article 1.13.1, which gives each party to the 2018 revitalized peace agreement the power to remove its representatives in cabinet.
“The swapping of the ministries equally violates the provision of Article 1.12.1 of the agreement which requires the parties to agree on the allocation and selection of ministerial portfolios in the transitional unity government,” it disclosed.
It noted that transitional unity government is founded on the premise of collegial collaboration in decision-making and continuous consultations within the presidency which is made up of the President, the First Vice President and four other Vice Presidents.
SPLM-O, however reiterated its full commitment to fulfill implementation of the revitalized agreement in letter and spirit.
Teny is the wife to the First Vice President Riek Machar. She was appointed as minister of defense and veterans affairs in 2020.
