The newly appointed governor of Upper Nile state, Gen. James Koang Chuol, has suspended the state minister of finance and planning, Pal Deng Kerweth.
Pal Deng is a member of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), led by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, who is currently under house arrest in Juba.
The suspension comes amid ongoing tensions within South Sudan’s unity government, formed under a fragile 2018 peace deal between President Salva Kiir and Machar. The agreement established power-sharing arrangements at both national and state levels.
Upper Nile’s information minister, James Pasha, confirmed the order to Radio Tamazuj, stating: “Today, 4 April 2025, the governor has issued a gubernatorial order suspending the state minister of finance, planning and investment until further notice.”
When pressed on the reasons for the suspension, Pasha, who also serves as the state government spokesperson, said the governor’s order provided no further details. He added that no replacement had yet been appointed to act in Pal Deng’s place.
The SPLM-IO leadership in the state could not immediately be reached for comment.