South Sudan president unveils new ruling party structure

JUBA – South Sudan’s President Slava Kiir Mayardit who doubles as the chairman of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-IG) faction has unveiled a new party structure for the group appointing new officials into the political bureau and the national liberation council.

This comes after the historical party dismissed – during a meeting on Friday – First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny who was the first deputy chairman of the party along Pagan Amum who was also the secretary-general before the crisis in 2013.

The National Liberation Council (NLC) meeting further appointed Vice President James Wani Igga who was the second deputy chairman until Friday as the first deputy chairman. Kiir also appointed Daniel Awet Akot and Kuol Mayang Juuk as second and third deputies to the chairman, respectively.

In a communique readout on the state-own South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) on Monday, Kiir confirmed 10 new NLC members from Central Equatoria, 12 from WES, 11 from Lakes, 12 from WBGS, 12 from NBGS, 12 from Warrap, 11 from Unity, 12 from Upper Nile, 10 from Jonglei, and 6 from Abyei.

The statement further allocated 6 sits to the northern sector states and six was given to the diaspora. The president also confirmed the below list into the National Liberation Council.

1. Salva Kiir Mayardit- Chairperson
2. James Wani Igga- First Deputy Chairperson
3. Daniel Awet Akot – Second Deputy Chairperson
4. Kuol Manyang Juuk – Third Deputy Chairperson
5. Peter Lam Both – Secretary General
6. Akol Paul Kordit – First Deputy Secretary General
7. Tulio Odongi- Second Deputy Secretary General

Kiir also confirmed the following names as members of the SPLM Political Bureau:

1. Salva Kiir Mayardit –Chairperson
2. James Wani Igga- First Deputy Chairperson
3. Daniel Awet Akot – Second Deputy Chairperson
4. Kuol Manyang Juuk – Third Deputy Chairperson
5. Peter Lam Both – Secretary General
6. Akol Paul Kordit – First Deputy Secretary General
7. Tulio Odongi- Second Deputy Secretary General

Kiir appointed 31 others as members of the SPLM Political Bureau.