Machar ally sworn in as irrigation minister

JUBA – South Sudan’s newly-appointed minister of water resources and irrigation and senior member of the main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) Pal Mai Deng, has been sworn in a week after his appointment.

Pal was appointed on Monday last week to replace late minister of water resources and irrigation Manawa Peter Gatkuoth who died in the Egyptian capital Cairo after he was flown in from Juba after complaining of chest pain.

Speaking during the swearing in ceremony on Wednesday in Juba, President Salva Kiir Mayardit urged the newly-appointed minister to lead by an example and put the interest of the world’s youngest country ahead and chant tribalism in his ministry.

“You are now a Minister and you are in a position of authority. So do the right thing for the best interest of the nation,” Kiir said.

The South Sudanese president further reminded the new minister of the government’s role which is to provide services to the citizens of the country, saying that ministers must all priorities service delivery to the citizens.

For his part, the minister thanked president for the confidence in appointing him to the position and pledge to dedicate his “efforts in dealing with the challenges that comes with the new assignment.”