Police reshuffle in Bahr al Ghazal described as ‘political’

South Sudan’s Police Inspector General confirmed on Tuesday that a reshuffle of senior police officials in the Bahr al Ghazal region was prompted by ‘circumstances’ and not by policy, while other police sources described the change as ‘political.’

South Sudan’s Police Inspector General confirmed on Tuesday that a reshuffle of senior police officials in the Bahr al Ghazal region was prompted by ‘circumstances’ and not by policy, while other police sources described the change as ‘political.’

This comes after the return of Major General Akot Deng Akot from Wau to his home state Northern Bahr al Ghazal and the move of Major General Peter Mading Duor from Northern Bahr al Ghazal to Western Bahr al Ghazal.

On Tuesday after the announcement of the reshuffle the Police Inspector General Pieng Deng Kuol was asked whether the move was the result of a policy that a commanding police officer posted in a given area should also come from that area.

The police official responded that this was not the determining factor, noting: “These are administrative changes necessitated by circumstances. It is not the policy of the government that a police commissioner must be someone from the area where that officer comes.”

He did not provide any comment on the ‘circumstances’ that prompted the change, although several police sources described the change as “a political decision.”    

“This was a directive from the higher authority and the inspector general had to comply, because there is a concern that the current security situation in Northern Bahr al Ghazal requires someone like Akot Deng. It is believed by the leadership that Akot would handle this situation well,” said a police source.

Some local officials have interpreted the transfer of General Akot back to Northern Bahr al Ghazal as an attempt by the government to stem defections among local youth to rebels under the command of General Dau Aturjong.

“Because General Akot comes from the same area as General Dau, the government feels it would be wise sending someone with significant influence in the community so that more defections from youth group and security organs in the area from members of the community are contained,” an observer said on Tuesday.

“There are two ways to contain it: persuade the community or exert full authority,” he noted.

The observer further stated that the outgoing police commissioner Peter Mading Duor was hindered in his efforts to “exert authority” in the state because of concerns about misperceptions of his role, noting that Mading comes from Warrap state where President Salva Kiir comes from.

File photo: Maj-Gen. Akot Deng Akot (Gurtong)

Related coverage:

Bahr el Ghazal police commissioners shuffled (11 Aug.)

Gen. Dau Aturjong says SPLM/A ‘hijacked’ after death of Garang (4 June)