Feb 23, 2021(Nyamilepedia) — A group of South Sudan lawyers have moved to court to file a lawsuit against President Kiir Mayardit for appointing Local governments officials.
These lawyers are accusing the president of violating the constitution by appointing state officials.
The group of lawyers have claimed that the constitution only gives the president powers to appoint national government officials but not state government officials.
“The concern that comes with the appointment is the distinction between the power of the governor and the powers of the presidency being exercised by the president himself,” Advocate Philip Anyang said in a statement on behalf of the lawyers.
“The agreement gives the president powers to appoint national ministers, governors and structures at the national level only. All the state appointments should be handled and done by the governors.”
President Kiir has so far appointed over 150 state government officials for four states which include Central Equatoria, Warrap state, Western Bahr el Ghazal and Unity state.
The lawyers particularly pointed out Article 164 of the transitional constitution that gives the Governor –as the head of the executive organ in the state –the powers to appoint and relieve the Deputy Governor, Advisors, and state Ministers in consultation with the President and per the state constitution.
Michael Makuei, the government spokesperson has defended the president’s appointment saying that there is nothing illegal about the President’s move.
“The state constitution has not yet been incorporated into the agreement; and as such, this idea of power-sharing or responsibility-sharing is not in their (states) current constitutions,” Makuei stated.
The petition by the lawyers was received by the office manager of the minister of justice, who promised to submit it to his boss Rubben Madol, for consideration.
