Abraham Gum, governor of Gogrial State, has announced appointment of his cabinet ministers and advisors, ending more than one month of lobbying among politicians for various positions.
Governor Gum, according to gubernatorial order announced on Friday, appointed Kon John Akot as minister of finance, Aleu Akol as minister of local government, Deng Bak as minister of agriculture, Adior Kuol Amuom as minister of information, William Chan Acuil as the minister education, and Angui Mayuot as the minister of health.
The governor also appointed Bona Atem Thuc from South Sudan Democratic Forum as the minister of physical infrastructure to represent other political parties.
He did not reserve any constitutional seat to be filled by a nominee of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition as done in some of the states of the Bahr el Ghazal region where the armed opposition is allocated 15% of constitutional positions to be occupied by their representatives in the states of Bahr el Ghazal and Equatoria state in accordance with the compromise peace agreement.
In another order, Governor Gum appointed three advisors and several technical advisors. General Bona Bhang Dhol was appointed as political advisor, Victor Atem Atem as an advisor for security and Agoth Mel Kuau as an advisor for peace, reconciliation and development in the state government.
Gogrial State is one of 28 states created by President Salva Kiir by decree but challenged as unconstitutional by a coalition of opposition parties.
Monitors of the peace agreement have called the creation of the 28 states a “violation” of the peace agreement. Salva Kiir says the 28 states are the demand of the people.