Hundreds of citizens in Ruweng State, one of South Sudan’s newly created states, on Wednesday staged protests against President Kiir’s decree removing the state governor Theji Da Adwad Deng and replacing him with Tem Machar.
Theji’s dismissal came days after he shifted allegiance from the SPLM-IO faction led by First Vice President Taban Deng Gai. Initially, the governor’s position was negotiated as part of a power-sharing deal between the government and the SPLM-IO rebel group in Juba.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday, the Acting Minister of Information in Ruweng state, Mayar Panchar said citizens of Ruweng are against the appointment of a new governor loyal to Taban Deng. He further said they do not want any opposition member to be the governor of Ruweng state.
Meanwhile, Bol Kuch, a youth leader in Ruweng state said the demonstrations were against the appointment of Tem Machar.
He pointed out that the local residents call on President Kiir to revoke the decision and appoint somebody from the SPLM party to assume the position.