The governor of Jonglei State, Mahjoub Biel, has officially suspended Minister of Finance, Planning, and Investment Abraham Riek Yuek, saying the latter has lost legitimacy.
In August 2022, the State Transitional Legislative Assembly unanimously passed a vote of no confidence against the embattled finance minister and impeached him for failure to adequately address concerns regarding the delayed passage of the state budget and the non-payment of civil servants’ salaries.
In a letter dated 17 August 2024, Governor Biel cited the vote of no confidence and a legal opinion to suspend the minister.
“I reference to the letter regarding the vote of no confidence for the State Minister of Finance, Planning, and Investment dated 10 August 2022 and a reminder letter dated 16 December 2024, as well as a Legal Opinion concerning the Vote of No Confidence for the finance minister dated 23 July 2024, I hereby confirm that the minister has lost the legitimacy to serve in this position,” the governor wrote. “Therefore, effective immediately, he is suspended.”
Riek appeared before the state assembly two years ago, facing intense scrutiny over his handling of state finances. His impeachment which had wide support, prompted immediate action from the Acting Speaker at the time, who urged the former governor, Denay Jock Chagor, to act against Riek. However, Chagor responded by suspending two members of parliament in a move that shielded the finance minister.
On 16 December 2024, Speaker Amer Ateny Alier wrote to the new governor, reminding him of the parliamentary resolution to suspend the finance minister for alleged mismanagement and misappropriation of public funds. The head of legal administration in Jonglei also echoed the call for the suspension, emphasizing the legality of such action.
Riek rejected the suspension, claiming it was retaliatory rather than based on the impeachment. He contends that the move followed his recent suspension of the Director General in his ministry, who happens to be a relative of the current governor.
“The suspension is not at all welcome because to me it is a retaliation,” Riek stated. “It has nothing to do with the impeachment.”
He further questioned the timing of the suspension, suggesting that if it was genuinely about the 2022 vote, it should have been executed much earlier.
According to Article 99 of the state constitution, the governor is empowered to suspend any state minister facing charges. The legal framework affirms that the suspension of the minister, in this case, follows the constitutional process for addressing charges against him.