Kiir sacks long-time ally Manytuil as Unity State governor, names replacement

JUBA – South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Monday night issued a decree dismissing his long-time ally, Joseph Nguen Manytuil Wijang, as the governor of the oil-rich Unity State.

In a decree read on the state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), Kiir appointed Brig. Gen. Riek Biem Top as the new governor. The decree did not specify reasons for the replacement of Manytuil.

Manytuil, the longest-serving state governor in South Sudan, was appointed in July 2013 following the dismissal of then-governor Taban Deng Gai, who had served since 2005.

At the time of his appointment, Manytuil was the leader of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), a position he retained after defeating Taban in a 2008 party convention.

During his tenure, human rights abuses have been reported by local activists and international organizations. Intercommunal violence, including attacks by armed youths believed to be loyal to him and the Mayom-based “Ter Chuong” militia group, surged.

In 2022, Manytuil’s actions, including the kidnapping and burning alive of senior military officers from the South Sudan People’s Movement/Army (SSPM/A) led by General Stephen Buay Rolnyang, sparked local and international outrage.

The UN Panel of Experts in 2023 accused Manytuil of being responsible for gross violations of human rights as well as other senior government and military officials in Unity State.

He was sanctioned by the United States in December for appointing senior local government officials responsible for systematic rape and other human rights violations during armed attacks in Leer County, Unity State.

Riek Biem, the new governor, hails from Ngop Payam of Mayom County where Manytuil also comes from.

At the time of his appointment, Biem was serving as the Deputy Director of the Directorate of Military Justice of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF).

He is also representing the SSPDF at the Joint Military Ceasefire Commission (JMCC) established under the terms of the revitalized peace agreement signed by the government and several opposition groups in September 2018.

Described by some in Unity State as a charismatic leader, Biem holds a Bachelor of Law from the University of Juba and a master’s degree in international law from Wuhan University in China.

In a separate decree, Kiir sacked Stephen Weiu Malek as the Chief Administrator of the Ruweng Administrative Area and replaced him with Tiop De Monyluak.