Augustino Jadalla Wani, Governor of Jubek State in South Sudan, has presented sword to President Salva Kiir as a gift, saying it represents symbol of power, superiority and defense.
The context of the gift on 21st December, 2016, remains unclear. It sparked a heated public debate on social media with government critics interpreting it to mean an attempt to impress the president to not remove him from power during the upcoming gubernatorial reshuffle.
Others claim such a gift would make the president believe he is still popular among the leadership of other tribes and that the country would disintegrate if he steps aside.
He would therefore justify his grip on power with such gifts as a way to support his claims and attempts to consolidate his hold on power by the use of the support of local leaders and state machineries, including killing his opponents in order to remain in power unchallenged.
Governor Augustino is the first governor of the state, which was created by President Salva Kiir on 2 October 2015. He previously served as the Deputy Minister of Interior and Wildlife Conservation after he was put first on a reserve list from the active military service.