The Jonglei State government expect their governor to be removed because he is from the Nuer ethnic group, following a decision by President Salva Kiir to separate the Nuer territory in the state from the other tribes by splitting the state into four new states.

Governor John Kong Nyuon hails from Fangak in the northwest of the state. He has governed from the state capital Bor, in the Dinka territory, since his appointment in 2013. He is unlikely to remain in his position after Kiir divided the state on ethnic lines in a decree announced Friday, according to a top state official.

Jody Jonglei, Minister of Information and Communications in Jonglei State told Radio Tamazuj that he expects Kong to be appointed to a position in the new Western Bieh State government. He suggested that the president may appoint him as governor there.

The Fangak area is currently controlled by the SPLM/A-IO rebel group.

“When implementation of the decree comes after 30 days according to the decree issued by the President Salva Kiir Mayardit, the Caretaker Governor John Kong Nyuon might be the one to be appointed as governor to Fangak since he came from the area but he will never be again the governor of Jonglei State based on the currently divisions,” Jody stated.

Jody, who himself comes from the so-called 'Boma State' in Jonglei's east, said that he also expects to be transferred and he will leave to Pibor.

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New decree creates ethnic enclaves for Nuer