Juba, South Sudan,
August 9, 2021 — The leadership of the Sudan People Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO) under the First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar Teny calls on Unity State Governor and Chief Administrator of Abyei Administrative Area to reverse firing of the paramount chiefs.
In a statement extended to Nyamilepedia, the SPLM-IO Director of Information and Public Relations, Mr. Puok Both Baluang says SPLM/SPLA (IO) has noted with concern the arbitrary dismissal of Paramount Chiefs of Rubkona County in Unity State and Chief Nyol Paguot Deng of Bongo Chiefdom in Abyie Special Administrative Area, by Hon. Joseph Nguen Monytuel and Hon. Kuol Deim Kuol, Governor of Unity State and Abyei Chief Administrator, respectively.
Mr. Baluang says it is not in exercise of Abyei Chief Administrator and Unity State Governor to arbitrarily sack or appoint paramount chiefs adding that any matter amounting to removal of paramount chief must be done in accordance with local laws and putting into account the agreement of the concerned people of that Chiefdom.
“We would like to stress here, State Governors and Chief Administrators of the Administrative Areas have no legal mandate to dismiss or appoint paramount chiefs”
“The change of any paramount chief must be carried out in concurrence with the people of the Chiefdom and local government laws, should the need arise”, SPLM-IO Director of Information and Public Relations Mr. Puok Both Baluang said in a statement.
According to the statement, the said areas are very sensitive and therefore must not be disturbed by an arbitrary decisions.
“In this regard, the SPLM/SPLA (IO) calls upon the Governor of Unity State and Chief Administrator of Abyei Special Administrative Area to revoke their decisions of the dismissal of the paramount chiefs”, the statement emphasized.
