Machar’s office says ‘too soon’ to discuss Manawa’s replacement

JUBA – South Sudan’s main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) led by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny has said that it hasn’t yet started process to nominate a person as replacement to late minister of water resources and irrigation Manawa Peter Gatkuoth.

Gatkuoth who was also the chairman of the SPLM-IO National Committee for Information and Public Relations died in the Egyptian capital Cairo on June 19 after he was flown in from Juba where he complained of chest pain.

Doctors, according to SPLM-IO leader Machar, had said that the senior government official had one of his veins destroyed, affecting his kidneys and stomach, but tried to rescue him before his demise as he had received a surgery hours before his death.

When contacted by Sudans Post as to if the main armed opposition group has made a nomination for the ministry of water resources and irrigation, press secretary in the office of first vice president Puok Both Baluang said it was too early to speak of his replacement.

“The movement and the nation are still mourning Hon. Manawa Peter’s passing on and the scars cost by his death are still fresh. So, it is too soon to discuss this now,” Baluang who is also the direct of information and public relations of the SPLM-IO said.