President Kiir swears in Deputy Minister of Interior, Hon. Peter Puok Koang,

Juba,

March 9th, 2022 — South Sudan president Salva Kiir Mayardit has sworn in one of Dr. Machar’s strongest allies, Major Gen. Peter Puok Koang, as the Deputy Minister of Interior, a position that was once held but vacated in less than a week by captain Mabior Garang de Mabior.

The oath taking ceremony was conducted today in president Kiir’s office to officially authorize Hon. Peter Puok Koang to assume the position president Kiir held tight to his chest for over two years in rejection of Machar’s appointment of Hon. Nyenagwek Manayom. 

“His Excellency Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic, presided over the Swearing in ceremony of Hon. Peter Puok Koang as the Deputy Minister of Interior in the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity.” President Kiir’s press unit announced. 

“”The oathtaking ceremony was administered in the Office of the President by the Chief Justice Chan Reech Madut.”  President Kiir’s press unit continued.

It remains unexplained why president Kiir rejected the appointment of Hon. Nyenagwek  to lesser position compared to appointment to the Ministry of Defense and Veteran Affairs, occupied by Dr. Machar’s wife displacing Gen. Kuol Manyang Juuk, however, critics believe the rejection of Hon. Nyenagwek stemmed from Warrap state’s internal politics.

President Kiir also sworn in members of a committee to investigate internal conflicts between the Dinka communities in Warrap and Abyei Administrative Area. 

According to the Presidential Press Unit, these members should have been sworn in last week but  they didn’t make it to Juba on time.

“These members had not taken the oath with their colleagues last week due to their absence in town.” J1 said.