Machar reacts to statements by Kiir allies over wife’s sacking

JUBA, MARCH 14, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – South Sudan’s first vice president and main armed opposition SPLM-IO leader Riek Machar Teny has issued a statement reacting to comments by senior government officials and allies of President Salva Kiir over the sacking of his wife and senior opposition member Angelina Teny as defense minister.

Mrs. Teny – South Sudan’s first-ever female defense minister – who is also the head of SPLM-IO National Committee for Security and Defense was sacked by President Kiir in a presidential decree last week alongside the minister of interior Mahmoud Solomon of the SPLM-IG.

Kiir in a separate decree swapped the two ministries saying the defense ministry which was allocated by the revitalized peace agreement to the main armed opposition group would now be taken by his party and that interior minister will be occupied by SPLM-IO.

The SPLM-IO condemned the changes by the president and said they were violations of the revitalized peace agreement.

In respond, information minister and Kiir ally Michael Makuei Lueth defended the removal of the defense minister, claiming that the president is the finally appointing and removing authority who can even remove the first vice president.

Cabinet affairs minister Martin Elia Lomuro also made statements yesterday saying Kiir had snatched the defense portfolio because he wanted to establish a firm control of the security sector so that his orders as commander in chief are not undermined.

In a statement signed by his acting press secretary Gordon Yien Gordon, Machar said Angelina Teny was doing her job professionally and should be given credit for graduation of the first batch of necessary unified forces.

“The feet dragging in the implementation of the Transitional Security Arrangements should not be blamed on Hon. Angelina Teny. The fact is had it not been for Hon. Angelina’s commitment and consistent efforts, the first badge of the Necessary Unified Forces would not have been graduated. Indeed, she was instrumental in the process.

“The Cabinet Minister may have not consulted the Revitalized Peace Agreement correctly by saying an “official notification letter was given.” Rather, the Revitalised Peace Agreement states it very clear in Article 1.13. that “each party may remove its representatives in the Council of Ministers and nominate replacements by notifying the President with at least fourteen (14) days notice”.

“It is not the other way round, or without a consultative process. Further, on the replacement, it is also clear in Article 1.13.2. which states that “In the event that the Ministerial post falls vacant during the Transitional Period, the replacement shall be nominated by the top leadership body of the party that first selected that Ministerial portfolio, as appointed at the commencement of the transition.

“The replacement Minister shall serve in office until the end of the Transitional Period. It is not by official letter of notice. What had happened was absolutely serious incident of violation of the Peace Agreement and equally a violation in the swapping of the two ministries.

“Minister Hon. Martin also argued that “President Kiir removed Hon. Angelina Teny for him to be able to give orders that cannot be rejected by anybody below his power as the Chief in charge of the forces across the country. The question is, is the President going to be the defense minister by saying that?

“And if it is about the performance of Hon. Minister Angelina, had it not been for her hard work and commitment to peace, the Necessary Unified Forces would not have been graduated. Her performance is better than in many other Ministries. She worked hard for reforms in the army and pushed for implementation of the security arrangements, unless she is a victim of her tremendous performances.

“Other previous violations of replacements also include the removal of the Commissioner of Twic in Warrap State and the removal of the Speaker of Jonglei State Legislative Assembly.

“On the statement issued by Hon. Michael Makuei Lueth, Minister of Information, Technology and Postal Services when he said that “the president has the right to remove the Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs, and added by saying, “even the First Vice President was appointed by the President”, we would like to make it crystal clear to the general public that the President has no right to replace or appoint a minister from another party without a consultation or being notified by the leader of the party concerned in 14 days’ notice. He only makes formality to appoint a nominee given to him by the concerned party.

“It is worth it to remind the people of South Sudan at large that, the Revitalised Agreement is the current sovereign document in South Sudan until a permanent constitution is enacted. So, this means that the entire Presidency which is composed of the President, the First Vice President, and the other four Vice Presidents, the Council of Ministers, the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) and the Council of States, were established by this Revitalised Peace Agreement. It is the agreement that gives legitimacy to the Executive, the Assembly, etc.

“So Hon. Michael Makuei’s statement is not in line with the provisions of the Revitalised Peace Agreement unless he has his own agreement.”