October 30, 2021 — In an effort to try to resolve the ongoing dispute in the ministry of health, which intensified when the SPLM/A-IO appointed Minister Hon. Elizabeth Acuei traveled to the United, president Salva convened a meeting bringing the parties involved together to chant a way forward on Friday, October 29, 2021.
(Photo credit: courtesy image)
According to the press secretary in the office of the president, the meeting was attended by the First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, the Vice President for Service Cluster Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, the Minister of Health and other officials.
“His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit convened a consultative meeting with the First Vice President Dr Riek Machar Teny and the Vice President Hussein Abdelbagi Akol to discuss wide range of issues facing the Ministry of Health, insecurity in Tambura County of Western Equatoria State as well as the political issues in Western Bahr el Ghazal State.” President Kiir’s press secretary office stated.
“In attendance were the Presidential Advisor on Security Affairs Hon Tut Gatluak Manime, Minister of Presidential Affairs Hon Dr Barnaba Marial Benjamin, and the Minister of Cabinet Affairs Hon Martin Elia Lomoro.” The Press secretary statement continued.
According to earlier reports, the Vice President for Service Cluster, Hon. Hussein Abdelbagi, meddled in the ministry of foreign affairs by directing authorities without the concern of the minister and without knowledge of the president.
Hussein directed the undersecretary inf the ministry of health, Dr. Victoria Anib Majur, to “conduct all the necessary changes in the management of the Juba Teaching Hospital that may assist in finding an amicable solution to the ongoing crisis at that institution.”
Upon her return from the United State, Hon. Acuei retaliated by suspending the Undersecretary and ordering investigation into the matter.
“In exercise of the powers conferred upon me under Article 114(2) (C) and article 31 of the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan 2011 as (amended), read together with the Republican Decree No. 222/2020, I, Hon. Elizabeth Acuei Yol, Minister for Health, do hereby issue this Ministerial order;
” Suspension of Dr. Victoria Anib Majur, from her duties as the Undersecretary of Ministry of Health. Formation of Disciplinary Board to investigate and report to the Minister within 90 days in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Service Act and Regulations”, the suspension statement Minister Acuei reads.
Read: Health Minister Acuei takes a bold decision firing Undersecretary of her Ministry.
In retaliation the VPSC Hussein wrote a warning letter to Minister Acuei accusing her of undermining “reforms agenda” in her ministry; however, Acuei continued forming a disciplinary committee to investigate the matter and report back to her within 3 months.
Meanwhile the Dr. Majur is replaced with Dr. Samson Paul Baba with no guarantees that she would be reinstated.
This is the first time an undersecretary, who is appointed by the president, is suspended through a ministerial decree; however, Kiir took what seems appropriate by inviting the parties and openly warned the Vice President for Service Cluster for meddling in the ministry of health.
Given the opportunities, the leaders also explored similar situations which are affecting the SPLM/A-IO administration in both Western Bahr el Ghazal and Western Equatoria.
“The meeting discussed and agreed to find mechanisms to solve these problems amicably.” The Press Secretary statement concluded.
