The editor of a leading newspaper in South Sudan has called on President Salva Kiir to dismiss his press secretary Ateny Wek and an ambassador to the United States for their alledged invovlement in a recent New York Times article.
Alfred Taban, the editor-in-chief of the daily English Juba Monitor, said that Presidential spokesperson Ateny Wek Ateny should be fired for allegedly writing an op-ed in the New York Times in the name of President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar. The article said that a hybrid court, agreed to by both sides in the August the peace deal, should be scrapped.
A spokesperson for Machar denies that he was consulted over the article.
“Ateny Wek attempted to steal the rights of the people of South Sudan, something that can easily lead to the reemergence of war that has completely destroyed this country. Ateny Wek needs to be fired immediately and legal action taken against him” Taban wrote on June 16th. “This letter has provoked a lot of anger amongst the South Sudanese people who are now calling for blood.”
Taban also called for the dismissal of one of South Sudan’s ambassadors to the United States, Gordon Buay, for allegedly facilitating the letter to the New York Times.
“The United States has already declared that they do not want to see Bouy in the United States,” Taban wrote. “This damaging letter completely undermines the President’s authority and control over his officials and could plunge the country back to a war if not taken care of,”
Related
Ambassador Buay says NYT op-ed authentic, challenges Machar over his silence (9. Jun)
Machar says not opposed to hybrid court (9 Jun.)
World leaders call for hybrid court in South Sudan (12 Jun.)