Kiir gives Machar 1 week to replace Olony – official

JUBA – South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit has reportedly given his first deputy and peace partner, SPLM-IO chairman Dr. Riek Machar Teny, one week to replace opposition commander General Johnson Olony as the group’s nominee for governor of Upper Nile state.

Upper Nile state has been allocated to the SPLA-IO, but President Kiir has rejected the nomination of General Johnson Olony as the governor of the state saying he is a warmonger who would stir up tensions in the state.

One source at the presidency told Sudans Post this afternoon that the president made a call to the first vice president and stressed the need that a governor is present in the state because of the power vacuum.

“The President spoke to Riek Machar Teny yesterday. He made it very clear to him that there is no way to wait further for the SPLM-IO. We don’t want to wait for nothing. The SPLA-IO must change its mind on Olony,” the official said from Juba on condition of anonymity.

The senior government official further said the president has given Machar only one week to replace Olony.

“So, the President has given him one week to bring another nominee otherwise the president will use a different approach for the opposition to choose their nominee,” the official said.