The spokesman of the Northern Bahr el Ghazal State parliament has welcomed the appointment of the new Caretaker Governor Akot Deng Akot, the former state police chief.

Akot earlier had refused orders from police headquarters in Juba transferring him elsewhere, saying he was about to be appointed state governor and therefore would not leave Aweil.

He was also accused by a faction within the government of attempting a 'coup' during political unrest in Aweil earlier this year, when supporters of then-governor Kuel Aguer were battling to preserve Kuel in his position and to keep their own positions in the cabinet and party leadership.

Speaking on Saturday, the parliament spokesman Achak Thiep expressed the happiness of MPs at the appointment of Major General Akot Deng Akot as governor.

“We are all happy and we welcome the decision made by our president. I think General Akot Deng will improve the security of the state,” he said.

The members hope the new governor tries to improve services in the state and appealed to him to work hard to improve unity in the state, he said.

Akot was at odds with the former governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal Kuel Aguer, who was impeached by the state assembly on charges of corruption – charges his supporters say were politically motivated.

Many politicians believe that the current SPLA chief of the staff, General Paul Malong, holds the power to decide who should be state governor. The ousted governor Kuel Aguer was reportedly sacked on his orders.