Ex-presidential advisor welcomes sacking

JUBA – South Sudan’s former presidential security advisor, Tut Gatluak Manimeh, welcomed his dismissal on Friday, expressing gratitude to President Salva Kiir Mayardit for the opportunity to serve in the latter’s government.

Kiir, in a decree read out on state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) on Friday night, removed Gatluak from his position after 11 years in the role and replaced him with the deputy chief of SSPDF for Administration and Finance, Gen. Thoi Chany Raet.

The president did not provide a reason for the dismissal but immediately appointed Gatluak as his special envoy to the Middle East.

In a statement released later Friday on his removal, Gatluak expressed his “utmost respect and pleasure” for serving under Kiir’s leadership.

“It was through your support and directive that I was able to achieve some important tasks in the area of security through your guidance,” Gatluak said in the statement.

“I welcome your wise decision for appointing me as Special Envoy to the Middle East to serve our Country with Integrity,” he added.

Gatluak described his appointment by the head of state as a presidential envoy for the Middle East as a “wise decision.”

“I welcome your wise decision for appointing me as Special Envoy to the Middle East to serve our Country with Integrity that I shall be able to deliver and achieve some of the important tasks under your able leadership,” he said.

“I will fully remain committed to supporting your leadership and the country as well and I accepted the new assignment to promote our diplomatic ties with the Middle East countries as needed,” he added.

He then pledged his continued loyalty to Kiir and his commitment to supporting the new security advisor.

“Allow me to extend my sincere congratulatory to the Newly Appointed Presidential Advisor National Security Affairs and Chairman of National Transitional Committee (NTC), for winning the trust of His Excellency, the President of the Republic,” he said.

“Therefore, with my capacity I am ready to support the Newly appointed comrades in order to take our Country forward,” he added.

Gatluak was appointed to the presidential security advisor position in 2013 following a cabinet reshuffle that removed then-Vice President Riek Machar from the government.

He then survived a 2016 cabinet dissolution provided for in a 2015 peace agreement.