South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir says that he has powers to appoint all governors of 28 new states that he created by decree in place of the 10 constitutionally established states.
The order issued on Friday by the president says that the president “shall appoint the state governors and state legislative assembly [in each state].”
In recent years, Kiir has already removed by decree eight of ten elected governors – those of Jonglei, Lakes, Warrap, Northern Bahr al Ghazal, Upper Nile, Western Equatoria, Central Equatoria and Unity State.
Under the Transitional Constitution of 2011, Kiir has the power to relieve state governors in cases of insecurity and threats to the national sovereignty of the country, but the caretaker governors that he appoints may only serve for 60 days before a special election must be held in the state.
In none of the eight states where Kiir removed the governors has such an election ever been held to legitimize the caretaker governor. Rather, some caretaker governors have already ruled for several years.
The only two elected governors still serving in South Sudan are Governor Rizig Zacharia of Western Bahr al Ghazal, and Governor Louis Lobong Lojore of Eastern Equatoria, who were elected in 2010 and whose terms were extended by constitutional amendment.
Kiir’s decree issued Friday eliminates Eastern Equatoria State and replaces it with two smaller states – Imatong and Lomurnyang states. The decree truncates Western Bahr al Ghazal by splitting off Raja County, which is to be joined with two counties of Northern Bahr al Ghazal.
Similar changes will be made to all the other states, according to Kiir’s decree.
The president’s decree on Friday was titled the “Establishment Order Number 36/2015 AD.” The order says that it come into force within 30 days.
The order defines “State Legislative Assembly” as a legislative body “which for the time being, shall be appointed by the President.”
File photo: Salva Kiir with Minister of Information and Broadcasting Michael Makuei Lueth
Related:
New decree creates ethnic enclaves for Nuer (3 Oct.)
Kiir proposes merging Raja with part of N Bahr al Ghazal (2 Oct.)
Kiir and Makuei want 28 states in South Sudan (2 Oct.)