Governor Manytuil impeached by Council of States over Mayom extrajudicial killings

JUBA – The Transitional Council of States on Monday afternoon voted with an overwhelming majority to pass a vote of no-confidence against the Governor of Unity State Dr. Joseph Nguen Manytuil Wejang over the recent extrajudicial execution of four opposition commanders allied to rebel leader Gen. Stephen Buay Rolnyang, a lawmaker has said.

Earlier this month, four opposition commanders were extradited from southern part of neighboring Sudan and were executed at Kaikang of Mayom County. Three were executed with firing squad, while Gatluak Majiok Liey, the rebel officer believed to have led the expedition on Mayom that resulted in the killing of Mayom County Commissioner, Maj. Gen. Chuol Gatluak Manimeh, was burned alive.

The extrajudicial killing sparked outrage among members of the public as well the international community with calls for the government to investigate and find those behind the heinous act. Citizens have blamed the governor responsible for the killing as he attended the execution personally and have urged President Kiir to dismiss and hold him responsible.

Yesterday, the spokesperson of the Council of States Josephine Nakuru said Governor Manytuil had been had been summoned by the august house to answer questions such as the insecurity in Unity State as well as the killing of rebel officers. Nakuru also said the governor of Jonglei State Denay Jock Chagor had also been summoned.

“We summoned the Governor of Unity State, Honorable Joseph Manytuil, to appear before the Council and make clarifications pertaining issues that have been rampant on social media throughout South Sudan, about the insecurity situation in the state,” she told the SSBC.

Speaking to Sudans Post following the sitting attended this afternoon, one of the members of the Council of States said the governor was impeached by a bipartisan majority of 87 with 6 abstaining while 7 where absent.

“The Governor of Unity State Dr. Joseph Nguen Manytuil has been slapped by the Council of State with a vote of no-confidence because he has failed to explain the recent events in Unity State in which the commissioner of Mayom County lost his life and also in which four opposition officers were killed without legal process,” the lawmaker said.

The lawmaker who requested not to be named said the motion will now be send to the office of the president for signature and for the president to appoint a new governor “which we will expect to take place in the nearest future.”