South Sudan President Dismisses Senior Aides Following Opposition Deaths Individual Designated to Election Committee
South Sudan’s president has dismissed senior aides following a presidential order that erroneously appointed an individual who passed away five years prior.
President Salva Kiir of South Sudan has relieved two senior aides of their duties following a significant administrative error that resulted in a deceased opposition figure being appointed to an elections panel.
A controversy arose following a presidential decree issued on 30 January, which appointed Steward Soroba Budia as a member of a panel responsible for steering discussions in anticipation of the elections scheduled for December. Local media promptly disclosed that Budia, a member of the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP), passed away five years ago.
The disclosure ignited a wave of mockery across social media, prompting a response from the presidency. In an official statement, Kiir dismissed his press secretary, David Amour Major, along with the chief administrator in the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Valentino Dhel Maluet. Their dismissal occurred without any provided reasons.
The statement, shared on Kiir’s official Facebook page and signed by Presidential Affairs Minister Africano Mande Gedima, indicated that the president was “pleased” to relieve the officials of their duties and conveyed “profound gratitude” for their service.
In a later press release, Amour stated that the president’s office depended on the “accuracy and currency” of names provided by stakeholders, acknowledging that adequate verification had not taken place. He failed to specify which stakeholder held responsibility. The UDP has yet to provide any comments.
Budia signed the 2018 peace agreement that brought an end to a brutal conflict after South Sudan gained independence in 2011. The elections panel is tasked with preparing the country for its long-overdue polls, yet uncertainties linger regarding their execution.
South Sudan is still grappling with insecurity, as recent clashes have led to the displacement of over 180,000 individuals, as reported by the United Nations. In Jonglei state, violence has reached alarming levels, as government forces engage in conflict with factions associated with suspended Vice-President Riek Machar.
Machar is presently under house arrest and is confronted with charges such as murder, treason, and crimes against humanity, all of which he refutes. Even with a unity government agreement established in 2018, political instability remains a significant threat to the fragile peace of South Sudan.
