South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir issued a presidential decree dismissing several legal counsels from the National Ministry of Justice with effect from 19 August.
Many of those dismissed are already in exile or under protection at the UN PoC sites out of fear of ethnic violence. The dismissed counsels include:
- Peter Gatkuoth Khor, Counsel General
- Paul Obang Gore, Legal Counsel
- Abraham Gatkuoth Nyuot, Legal Counsel
- Gai Kuok Dak, Legal Counsel
- Bet Galuak Juor, Assistant Legal Counsel
- Kuajien Lual Wichtuor, Assistant Legal Counsel
- Simon Ruot Mar, Assistant Legal Counsel
The dismissal was announced on South Sudan Television (SSTV) on Tuesday. The decree gave no reasons for the dismissal of the seven legal workers from the Ministry of Justice.
Kiir also announced the dismissal of Presidential Adviser on Gender Issues and Human Rights Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior, though she has already been a declared member of the opposition since December and had not been exercising the functions of that office because she is living in exile.
Nynadeng, the widow of late Dr John Garang who fell out with president Sava Kiir in December 2011, had served as Southern Sudanese Minister for Roads and Transportation before being appointed as presidential advisor on gender and human rights.
File photo: Salva Kiir