Governor Futuyo suspends county commissioner over alleged ‘links’ with Kiir’s party

JUBA, AUGUST 9, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – The governor of South Sudan’s Western Equatoria State Gen. Alfred Futuyo Karaba has suspended the opposition-nominated commissioner of Nzara County over alleged links with President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s party.

In a gubernatorial decree dated 7 August 2023, the governor suspended Richard Zizi ‘until further notice’ and then directed the Executive Director (deputy commissioner) to temporally take up the responsibilities of the commissioner.

While the decree by the governor did not cite any reason for the suspension, SPLM-IO secretary for Western Equatoria State Mary John claimed Richard had defected to the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-IG).

“The commissioner has defected in November 2022 and the SPLM-IO office in the county has been closed down,” Mary said.

“So, it is his links with the SPLM-IG which is a peace partner that has resulted in the suspension,” she added.

The senior state opposition official said that the commissioner “has been totally rejected by the people” of Nzara County, but then said an investigation committee has been formed by the group to find out facts about his links with the SPLM-IG.

“Now the SPLM-IO office in the state has been closed down for at least 8 months and a committee has been formed to investigate the reasons and to establish facts about his links with the SPLM-IG,” she said.

“After that, the SPLM-IO will take measures based on the report of the committee,” she added.

Sudans Post attempt to reach Commissioner Richard were unsuccessful as calls rang unsewered.