In a gubernatorial order issued Thursday morning, the governor announced the suspension, citing insubordination and lack of respect for the state’s highest authority.
The order, referenced as Gubernatorial Order No. 1/2026, directed the immediate removal of the commissioner from his duties pending the resolution of the issues raised against him.
“The Governor of Northern Bahr El Ghazal State, H.E. Gen. Charles Madut Akol, has issued a Gubernatorial Order No. 1/2026 for the indefinite suspension of Aweil North County Commissioner, Hon. Deng Kuel Kuel, for the following reasons: insubordination and lack of respect for the highest authority,” the letter reads in part.
The suspension comes amid mounting accusations from local residents and officials, who claim the commissioner has been involved in questionable administrative decisions and confrontations with public servants. Among the allegations circulating within the county is the reported sale of an ambulance belonging to the county hospital, an accusation that has sparked concern among community members about the handling of public assets.
Although state authorities have not publicly confirmed the details surrounding the alleged sale, the claims have fueled public debate in Aweil North, a border county that relies heavily on limited health infrastructure and government services.
Local sources say tensions between the commissioner and some state officials have been escalating in recent weeks. One youth activist from the county, speaking anonymously on social media, accused the embattled commissioner of clashing with teachers and other civil servants, including ordering the arrest of three teachers during the dispute.
“He has arrested three teachers, and the other issue is related to the ambulance that he has sold,” the youth alleged, reflecting broader concerns among residents about the commissioner’s leadership.
As part of the gubernatorial directive, the county’s Executive Director, Wiik Awan Tem, has been appointed to serve as Acting Commissioner of Aweil North County until the matter is resolved. The order specifies that he will assume the administrative responsibilities of the office while investigations and consultations continue.
The suspension highlights growing tensions between county-level administrations and state authorities in Northern Bahr El Ghazal, where local governance disputes have occasionally disrupted service delivery.
It remains unclear whether Commissioner Deng Kuel Kuel will respond publicly to the allegations or challenge the suspension. For now, the focus has shifted to whether ongoing consultations between state officials and local leaders will resolve the dispute and address the concerns raised by residents regarding the management of public resources and the treatment of civil servants in the county.
