South Sudan’s SPLM-IO, led by Riek Machar, protested the dismissals of Health Minister Yolanda Awel Deng and Governor Alfred Futuyo Karaba by President Salva Kiir. Machar condemned the unilateral nature of the dismissals as a breach of the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement, which mandates collective decision-making. He also denounced an alleged assassination attempt on Futuyo by government forces.
On February 14, 2023, South Sudan’s opposition group, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), led by First Vice President Riek Machar, demanded the reinstatement of two dismissed officials from the transitional unity government. The officials in question, Yolanda Awel Deng, the Health Minister, and Alfred Futuyo Karaba, governor of Western Equatoria State, were removed from their positions through a decree from President Salva Kiir, which was announced via the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation.
Machar criticized the president’s decision as unilateral, asserting that it violates the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement. This agreement mandates collaborative decision-making among the signatory parties for significant changes within the government. Machar’s statement emphasized the importance of adhering to the agreement, stating, “the persistent violations through unilateral decisions and decrees threaten the very existence of the agreement.”
In addition to calling for the reinstatement of the officials, Machar condemned an alleged assassination attempt on Futuyo by South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) personnel. Following Futuyo’s dismissal, a reported attack occurred at his residence and other SPLM-IO areas in Yambio and Tambura towns, heightening tensions within the government. As of now, the appointments for the Health Minister and the governor of Western Equatoria State remain unfulfilled.
Under the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement, the SPLM-IO holds the authority to appoint governors for both Western Equatoria State and Western Bahr el Ghazal State, reinforcing their significance in the government structure of South Sudan. Machar’s call to action seeks to maintain the governance framework established by the peace deal, which is vital for the region’s stability and development.
The SPLM-IO’s demand for reinstating dismissed officials highlights ongoing tensions in South Sudan’s transitional government. First Vice President Riek Machar’s allegations of unilateral decision-making by President Kiir raise concerns about adherence to the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement. Additionally, the attempted assassination of an official underscores the fragile security situation, which impacts governance and the peace process in the country.
Original Source: gna.org.gh
