Salva Kiir Mayardit, the President of South Sudan, appears unstoppable as he continues his pattern of dismissing high-ranking officials in his government without slowing down.
On Wednesday, Kiir dismissed the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Deputy Speaker.
The Secretary General of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), Tulio Odongi Ayahu, announced the removal of Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba and Deputy Speaker Permana Awerial Aluong from their positions in the Transitional National Legislative Assembly.
This move follows complaints from SPLM members who accused Kumba of corruption.
In particular, she was linked to a scandal involving the misuse of parliamentary funds, prompting calls for her dismissal.
Kumba made history in 2021 as the first woman to serve as Speaker of South Sudan’s National Assembly.
However, she has not yet responded to the allegations against her.
Kiir appointed Joseph Ngere Paciko and Abuk Paiti Ayiik as the new Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively.
These dismissals come after Kiir in February fired former Finance Minister Bak Barnaba Chol, who had been in office for only three months, without providing any reasons for the decision.
Political analysts say Kiir’s ongoing dismissals in both the military and parliament are aimed at consolidating his control over the government, especially at a time when succession politics are intensifying due to concerns about his declining health.
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