South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has sacked acting foreign minister Deng Dau Deng and appointed a new foreign minister.
Deng, who hails from Jonglei State’s Twic County, was appointed to the post in March.
Deng had served as deputy foreign minister prior to his appointment to the position of acting foreign minister in March.
The degree announced on state-owned media, South Sudan Broadcasting Cooperation (SSBC) Thursday evening gave no reason for the changes.
The South Sudanese leader has issued another decree appointing the South Sudanese Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, James Morgan Pitia, as the new minister of foreign affairs.
Amb. Morgan, who hails from the Equatoria region, is seen as a close ally of President Salva Kiir.
According to the 2018 peace agreement, the role of the foreign minister should be selected by the SPLM Party of President Salva Kiir.
South Sudan was meant to conclude a transition period with elections in February 2023, but the transitional government failed to meet key provisions of the agreement, including drafting a constitution.
The parties to the agreement extended the transitional government’s time in office for another two years, meaning elections would be held in December 2024.