Stephen Dhieu Dau, the newly appointed finance minister in South Sudan, has taken the oath of office on Friday three days after his appointment without parliamentary vetting.
Dhieu replaced David Deng Athorbei, who was removed last week from the position without new assignment. Deng has since welcomed the decision of the president, saying it was his prerogative to appoint and relieve ministers. He pledged his support to the new minister.
South Sudan has no legal parliament after the transitional assembly mandated by the 2015 peace deal was not formed. Under the constitution, parliament is required to approve ministerial appointments.
Former finance minister David Deng Athorbei was also never approved by the parliament following his appointment in 2015 in part because of divisions within the parliament at that time, prior to the peace deal.
The former finance minister is expected to return to the parliament as a representative of Yirol West County at the national legislative assembly in Juba. It is not clear whether the transitional assembly will be formed as per the peace agreement or not.