S. Sudan’s new army chief, presidential minister take oath of office

JUBA – South Sudan’s newly appointed chief of defense forces of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces General Santino Deng Wol who was appointed on Saturday has today been sworn into office along with the newly appointed minister of presidential affairs Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin who was also appointed over the weekend.

In a statement, the presidency said Marial, the new army chief, director-general of external security bureau Simin Yien Makuac and the deputy governor of Eastern Equatoria state Mary Nadio were sworn in in a ceremony administered by Chief Justice Chan Reec Madut before President Kiir.

“President Salva Kiir Mayardit has this morning 12th April 2021, presided over the swearing-in ceremony of Hon. Dr.  Barnaba Marial Benjamin as the Minister of Presidential Affairs, Hon. Mary Nadio Alphonse as the Deputy Governor of Eastern Equatoria State,” the presidency said in a statement.

“President Salva Kiir Mayardit also swore in General Santino Deng Wol as the Chief of South Sudan people’s Defence Forces and General Simon Yien Makuac as the Director General of General Intelligence Bureau, National Security Service,” it added.

“The swearing in ceremony for the new appointed Government officials, Army Chief and the Director General of General Internal Bureau National Security Service , was administered by the Chief Justice Chan Reech Madut in the Office of the President before H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit, First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny, senior government officials and heads of National Security organs.”

It further added that “Chol Thon Balok has not been sworn in today as the Deputy Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs because he is not present in the Country but he will  take his oath of office when he returns back to the Country.”