South Sudan's Presidential Press Secretary Ateny Wek says President Salva Kiir does not plan to appoint a new foreign minister to replace Barnaba Marial before the formation of Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU).

According to the distribution of ministerial portfolios between the warring parties and stakeholders to form the transitional government, the Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministry was taken by the SPLM Former Detainees led by Deng Alor.

The group named former cabinet minister Deng Alor Kuol as minister of foreign affairs with former minister of youth, culture, and sports Cirino Hiteng as his deputy.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj yesterday, Ateny said that for now Deputy Minister of Foreign Minister Bashir Gbandi will run the ministry in accordance with the constitution until the transitional government is formed.

“The deputy minister will take the responsibility until further notice after the dismissal of the foreign minister. So the appointment of the foreign minister will be in the transitional government,” said Ateny.

The transitional government is expected to be form after the arrival of SPLM-IO leader and first vice-president designate Riek Machar in Juba.

File photo: Ousted foreign minister Barnaba Marial