June 21, 2021 — South Sudan President, Salva Kiir Mayardit, who is left with limited choices but to accommodate long-term rivals has appointed Dr. Costello Garang Ring Lual and 1st. Lt. Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual, the Chief of Staff of the SPLM/A-IO as advisors to the presidency.
According to decrees that were read out on SSBC this evening, Dr. Garang will be a general advisor to the presidency and Lt. Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual will advise the presidency on peace.
“This decree shall be cited as Republican Decree 105 2021 AD for the appointment of the advisors to the presidency 2021 AD and shall come into force on the date of its signature by the president of the Republic;
“In exercise of the powers conferred upon me under article 101 as of the transitional constitution of the Republic of South Sudan 2011 as amended;
“I, Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan do hereby issue this republican decree for the appointment of Hon. Dr. Costello Garang Ring Lual as advisor to the presidency. Issued under my hand and the seal of the Republic of South Sudan in Juba this 21 day of the month of June in the year 2021”
The two leaders, who are joining J1 are well known opposition leaders to President Kiir but close allies to the First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar Teny.
While Dr. Costello Garang felt out with the late Dr. John Garang and Salva Kiir when he was representing the SPLM/A in Germany in 1990s, a grudge president Kiir has held on to these days, Lt. Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual has held similar grudges with Kiir allies and specifically advisor Gen. Kuol Manyang Juuk since early 1990s.
The new advisors will join Gen. Tutkew Gatluak Manime and Gen. Kuol Manyang Juuk to advise the presidency.
While the current top senior advisors, Tutkew and Kuol, are working out their thorny relationship after Kuol complained of having been cornered and sidelined, the incoming two senior advisors have never serve in this portfolio before.
Although critics are expressing concerns on how the four plus advisors will work around J1, the revitalized peace agreement is almost coming to end.
