Kiir names daughter of renowned SPLA commander as press secretary

JUBA – South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit has issued a republican decree appointing a daughter of a renowned SPLA commander as the new press secretary for the office of the president, motivating praise of the public on social media.

In the decree readout on the state-own South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) on Friday evening, Kiir named Lily Adhieu Martin Manyiel Ayuel, daughter of former SPLA fighter and commander Martin Manyiel Ayuel, as the new spokesperson for the office of the president.

CDR. Martin, Lily’s father, was a renowned SPLA fighter and member of the Political Military Command of the SPLM/SPLA during the liberation struggle that earned South Sudan independence from Sudan in July 2011.

He however died on May 6, 1992 in Zimbabwe following short illness.

ATENY REACTS

Adhieu’s appointment comes almost two months since the removal of Ateny Wek Ateny after having stayed in the position since November 2013.

In a statement extended to Sudans Post, Ateny congratulated his successor for her appointment and commended President Kiir for choosing to appoint a female mouthpiece for the presidency saying he had wished for a female successor.

“I would like to congratulate my sister Lily Adhieu for having gained the confidence of H. E President Salva Kiir Mayardit on her appointment as my successor. It is an appointment well-deserved and to the right person in the right place,” Ateny wrote.

“I also would like to commend H. E Salva Kiir Mayardit for taking this bold decision to appoint a female cadre. I had wished that a woman should be appointed after me, though I didn’t recommend Cde. Lily,” he added.

Ateny further said he will be ready for a call in order for him to go and hand over the office and also expressed readiness for support if requested by the new press secretary.

“I will be waiting to receive a call from the Executive Office so that I go and handover the office to my successor. I am happy that the appointment is made today after 55 days since I was relived. That situation, kept me like an hostage as I can’t move on without handing over the public office,” he saod.

“Though I will be talking to Adhieu personally in an attempt to guide her on what this office requires, I am delighted to tell her that, I am ready to assist Madam Adhieu on anything she may stand in need pertinent to the work in the office of the President, if she needs my assistance at any time,” he added.

He further called on “all my former colleagues to cooperate with Lily Adhieu for the betterment of making the highest office in the land to functions smoothly.”