A clan of Hol Community in Duk Padiet County of South Sudan’s Jonglei State on Wednesday rejected the appointment of former Jonglei information minister Jacob Akech Deng as the new commission of Duk Padiet County, accusing of divisive policies in the area.
The Duor clan in a petition addressed to Jonglei State governor Phillip Aguer and seen by Radio Tamazuj today, accused the newly appointed commissioner Akech of creating division among the four clans of Hol community; Duor, Pathel, Angaach and Nyiel over the location of local administrative offices.
“The decision is sudden and shocking while there were efforts trying to reunite the people of Hol community in regard to the creation of payams problems in Duk Padiet County. As a matter of fact, Jacob Akech is accused of inciting tension towards creation of payam. The tension was about to be resolved through community meetings. If Akech becomes a commissioner there will be high likelihood of bad consequences,” partly read the document.
The document signed by some community members in Bor, Duk, Juba and diaspora , urged Governor Aguer to suspend the swearing-in of Akech until the issue is resolved.
It further warned that the county headquarters be relocated from Padiet to Amiel or Durok if the government decides to continue with the swearing-in ceremony.
However, the chairperson of the Hol Community Ayiik Chol Dieng said that the rest of the clans are happy with the appointment and support the decision. He claims that Machar Machuol who signed the rejection letter is not a community leader and has no right to write on behalf of the community.
“As the community chairperson here we have agreed with the appointment done by the government and we have written a congratulatory message to the governor this morning. All Hol community members here in Juba, Bor and in diaspora have appreciated this move,” Chol said.
The chairpersons of the Nyiel, Pathel and Angaach clans also confirmed that they support the governor’s decision.
Jacob Akech Deng himself rubbished the petition written by Machar Machuol.
Jacob Akech Deng previously served as a commissioner for Duk County before becoming information minister in Jonglei government.
On Tuesday, Governor Aguer sacked Akech as information minister and reappointed him as Duk Padiet County Commissioner replacing Michael Malual Wuor.
The swearing-in of the new commissioner will be done on Friday.