South Sudan president sacks controversial humanitarian affairs minister Peter Mayen

JUBA – South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit has this evening issued a republican decree dismissing the country’s controversial minister of humanitarian affairs and disaster management Peter Mayen Majongdit.

Minister Mayen’s removal was read out on the government-run South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC). While there is no reason given by the president for his dismissal, the president did not immediately name a replacement for him.

Mayen’s removal comes barely a year after outcry from members of the public after the minister was involved in a domestic violence in which he stabbed his wife in the leg. He had also locked her up in a village in Warrap state preventing her to seek her parent’s help.

There have also been allegations of corruption as to the how millions of dollars allocated by the government to millions of citizens displaced by floods have been used as companies contracted by the government have not been publicly identified.

Mayen was appointed in February last year on the ticket of Other Opposition Parties (OPP), another signatory of the revitalized peace agreement. He has however been in a constant disagreement with members of his party who have called for his replacement.

This is a breaking story and is being updated. Please refresh the page for update!