Kiir removes deputy defense minister, appoints new opposition ministers

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit removed his deputy minister of defense Gen. David Yau Yau and appointed him as deputy minister of labour replacing Nasike Allan Lochul who resigned from the government last year.

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit removed his deputy minister of defense Gen. David Yau Yau and appointed him as deputy minister of labour replacing Nasike Allan Lochul who resigned from the government last year.

In another presidential decree on Wednesday night, Kiir appointed Gen. Gathoth Gatkuoth, who is a top general allied to the SPLM-IO faction led by Taban Deng, as new minister of labour. He also appointed Thoi Chany Reat, who is a senior SPLM-IO official, as new deputy minister of defense.

In a separate decree, Kiir appointed the leader of South Sudan’s opposition Democratic Change Party, Onyoti Adigo Nyikwac as new minister of agriculture replacing Lam Akol who rebelled against the government last year.

Photo: President Kiir speaks during a function in Yei town in February, 2017/Radio Tamazuj.