Kiir names Denay Chagor as Jonglei governor  

JUBA – South Sudan President has named the country’s minister of higher education, Denay Chagor, as the new governor of Jonglei state, according to the Juba-based South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC).

In a separate decree, Kiir appointed Gabriel Changson Lew Chang, the chairperson of Federal Democratic Party (FDP) and a senior member of South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) as the new minister of higher education.

The South Sudanese head of state also appointed Deng Alor Kuol, the leader of former detainees in Juba, as the new minister for Eastern African Affairs, replacing John Luk Jok who passed away, apparently of COVID-19, in May.

The appointment of Denay Chagor has, in the past, been criticized by many South Sudanese who believe that a well-experienced person with a clue on conflict resolution should instead be appointed as the governor of the restive state which has a tradition of communal violence as well as lack of development.

Denay Chagor is a South Sudanese–American who was born in 1990, and his appointment to the state top seat violates the revitalized peace agreement which provides for the appointment of a senior citizen from 40 and above.