The newly appointed governor of Upper Nile state, Gen. James Koang Chuol, has suspended the commissioner of Nasir County, James Gatluak Lew Thiep.
Gatluak Lew is a member of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), led by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, who is currently under house arrest in Juba.
The suspension comes amid tensions within South Sudan’s unity government, formed under a fragile 2018 peace deal between President Salva Kiir and Machar. The agreement established power-sharing arrangements at both national and local levels.
In an order issued on Friday suspending the commissioner of Nasir County and seen by Radio Tamazuj, Governor Koang cited powers conferred to him by the transitional constitution of Upper Nile state and a presidential decree appointing him as governor by President Salva Kiir.
The order did not mention any reason for the suspension of the commissioner, who was appointed under the terms of the 2018 peace deal. The agreement is currently facing implementation challenges and risks collapse due to disputes between the two main signatory parties.
Governor James Koang, who hails from Nasir County, is a member of the ruling SPLM party led by President Salva Kiir.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Saturday after his suspension, Gatluak rejected the governor’s decision, saying it would not take effect and that it constituted a further violation of the 2018 peace agreement.
“The current tension in the country was actually ignited by Gen. Koang himself. He is the one who attempted to come with barges to Nasir ordering the military to come to Nasir, which caused tensions. So he is the one who caused all these problems. He is supposed to be jailed instead of being rewarded with a position of governorship,” he said.
Gatluak said he had tried his best to stabilize the situation and make peace in Nasir and was currently carrying out his duties as normal.
“I was in the office today, and I called all the chiefs of Nasir and the community to inform them about my suspension by Governor Koang. But the community and the chiefs refused and rejected the order made by Governor James Koang and asked me to continue doing my work normally,” he explained.
He said the suspension order had not been officially communicated to him and that he had only read about it on social media. He noted that the SPLM-IO leadership was aware of the order issued by Governor Koang.
“The reason for my suspension by Gen. Koang is that I used to tell the truth about the aerial bombardment of innocent civilians by the army Air Force. When I condemn the incidents, this upsets them seriously. So I will not go anywhere, and I will not leave the community of Nasir,” he concluded.
Nasir, located near the Ethiopian border, has long been a flashpoint for unrest in South Sudan since February. The White Army, known for its ties with opposition leader Riek Machar during the 2013 civil war, captured the town of Nasir from the SSPDF after clashes on March 4.