Kiir to replace Jonglei state governor, shift him to ‘senior’ diplomatic role  

JUBA – South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit is reportedly working to replace Jonglei state governor Denay Jock Chagor and have him shifted to a senior diplomatic role, two government officials with direct knowledge of the plan said.

Chagor was appointed on July 15, as governor for the restive Jonglei state on the ticket of South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) that was offered the state as part of the revitalized peace agreement Kiir signed with different opposition groups in 2018.

It however remains unclear if the latest plan by Kiir has been accepted by the opposition consortium which is made up of eight opposition groups including the South Sudan United Movement (SSUM) led by Chagor himself.

Speaking to Sudans Post in an exclusive interview from Juba, a senior government employee working at the office of vice-president Hussein Abdelbaggi said the president is planning to replace the governor of Jonglei state and consultations were underway between the president and the vice-president.

“First of all I can confirm that there is plans as such but we are still in the stage of consultation. The president of the republic has informed His Excellency the vice-president for services cluster General Hussein Abdelbaggi for his plans to do that,” the official said on condition of anonymity.

“What we have understood from the office of the president is that Governor Denay is moving to the ministry of foreign affairs, but at what capacity is still not clear and we are still waiting to hear from the office of the president and maybe we will find out in the next few coming days,” the official added.

Separately, an aide to former minister of health Riek Gai Kok confirmed the plan, and said President Kiir was also planning to appoint Kok after the appointment of Denay Chagor to another position which the official said he could not mention.

“We have heart news such as that from members of the president’s office but that is going to take place when Denay Chagor is moved to the ministry of foreign affairs,” the official who said he don’t want to be named as well said.

The latest reports for the replacement of Jonglei state governor comes as the president is seen dispatching and involving Chagor in foreign trips and in diplomatic meetings along with other foreign ministry officials.