South Sudan president revokes appointment of ex-spy chief as Warrap governor

JUBA – South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit has issued a presidential decree revoking the appointment of General Akol Koor Kuc as governor of Warrap State. General Akol was appointed to the position just seven days ago.

Kiir’s decision, announced on the state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), came swiftly after General Akol returned to South Sudan from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to take up his new position as governor of Warrap State.

The unexpected move has left many in the country speculating about the reasons behind the president’s decision.

Kiir on October 2, sacked Akol as the Director-General of the Internal Security Bureau (ISB) of the National Security Service (NSS), a position he had held since 9 July 2011, the day South Sudan obtained its independence from neighboring Sudan.

Kiir’s decree, other than citing the presidential powers given under South Sudan’s Transitional Constitution 2011 (Amended) and the revitalized peace agreement, did not provide any specific reason for the decision.

The president then, in a separate decree, named Francis Marial Abur as the new governor of Warrap State. Francis was, until his dismissal by the president in May, serving as the gubernatorial advisor on peace and security in Warrap state.

The revocation of the appointment of Akol comes amid rumors of disagreement between the president and Akol, who was in the UAE for treatment, with allegations suggesting Akol was planning a coup along with the commander of the presidential guards, Maj. Gen. Lual Wek.

Rumors have circulated that General Lual has been removed from his position as commander of the presidential guard, also known as the Tiger battalion.

While the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) has denied these reports, reliable security sources in Bilpam told Sudans Post yesterday that General Lual was replaced by Kiir with Major General Abraham Gum Makuach over the weekend.

Akol arrived on Wednesday afternoon in the country. Hundreds of his supporters gathered at Juba International Airport to receive him and were left angered when he snubbed them upon arrival aboard a flydubai plane.

The powerful former ISB chief, known for his fearsome reputation, refused to engage with the crowd, bypassing the traditional welcome ceremony and proceeding directly to his car without even raising his hands.

Dressed in a dark blue suit and a red tie, Akol declined to wear a traditional cloth known as a “laweh,” which was offered to him by an unidentified woman. His abrupt departure sparked anger and disappointment among the crowd, who had gathered early in the morning to show their support.