Andrew Lual Buola, former Aweil town mayor, protested on Wednesday his removal from his position less than six months after his appointment, describing the change as politically motivated.
“What happened was not a normal change, not a performance-related matter. It was a result of people wanting to grab the opportunity so that they enrich themselves instead of delivering services,” Lual claimed when reached on Wednesday to say how he feels after he was removed last Tuesday.
He accused the State Minister of Finance Garang Majak and the State Minister of Local Government Ajak Michael as being the masterminds and architects of the decision.
“The reason they were giving was just a coverup of their motive. They were saying I should be relieved because I am a member of parliament and that I need to give another person an opportunity. I did not reject but I asked whether they were honest because the former town mayor, Hon.Atak Longar, was a member of parliament. The current advisor, Jel Mangok was a member of parliament when he was the county commissioner for five years, yet he was not removed,” argued Lual.
He further referred to the appointment of the governor without regards to the provision of the law, saying the existing law does not allow anybody below 40 years to be the governor.
“There was no basis at all for them to campaign for my removal because if they are talking of the law, then they are saying the current governor, Hon. Ronald Ruay Deng, should be removed. Because if they are serious, the governor would not have been appointed because the constitution of South Sudan does not allow someone below 40 years to be the governor,” he stressed.
Local government minister Ajak Michael denied the allegation of her involvement in the decision to make changes by the governor, claiming she is surprised the former mayor has been making wild claims.
“I have no idea of what he is talking about. All he is saying is not true. I think he just wants to pour his anger on me for no reason,” said Ajak when reached to comment on the allegation of her involvement.
File photo: Aweil town