President Salva Kiir Fires Two Officials After Appointing Dead Man to Serve on Panel

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has sacked two senior aides following an embarrassing situation where he appointed a dead man to serve on a panel to lead discussions on elections scheduled for December.

In a notice dated February 3, the president had sacked his Office of the President press secretary, David Amour Major, and the chief administrator in the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Valentino Dhel Maluet.

“The following officials are hereby relieved from their respective positions: Hon. Valentino Dhel Malueth, Chief Administrator, Ministry of Presidential Affairs, and  Amb. David Amour Majur, Press Secretary, Office of the President,” Kiir said.

Salva Kiir Makes New Appointment

Kiir has appointed Marik Nanga Marik as the Chief Administrator, Ministry of Presidential Affairs. adding that Dhel’s successor will be announced soon.

“The following official is hereby appointed to the position indicated against his name: Hon. Marik Nanga Marik, Chief Administrator, Ministry of Presidential Affairs,” reads part of the notice.

“The appointment for the position of Press Secretary, Office of the President, is currently pending and will be announced in due course.”

Further, Kiir expressed his profound gratitude to the outgoing officials for their dedicated service and contributions to the Nation during their tenure, and conveys his best wishes to the newly appointed official in his new role.

“These changes are with immediate effect. On behalf of His Excellency, the President of the Republic of South Sudan.”

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President Appoints Dead Man

Citizens were shocked and confused after President Kiir included the name of deceased veteran politician Steward Soro Budia on a Broad-Based Committee formed to oversee election preparations.

Budia passed away five years ago, and many initially assumed the appointment referred to his son.

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However, after carefully reviewing the list several times, citizens confirmed that it was indeed the deceased politician’s name.

The incident has raised serious questions about the competence of officials working in the Office of the President.

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South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has sacked two senior aides. PHOTO/S. Sudan Office of the President Facebook.