South Sudan Former Governors, Commissioners Threaten Civil War

The former governors and commissioners of the South Sudanese abolished 32 states have threatened to stage a rebellion over their delayed retirement package.

The governors and commissioners were relieved of their duties after the implementation of the second peace agreement that reverted the country back to 10 original states before the civil war.

The revitalized transitional unity government of President Salva Kiir, First Vice President Dr, Riek Machar and four other vice presidents returned the country to 10 states. Kiir passed a presidential decree directing the Finance ministry to handle the lump sum retirement packages for the affected officials in 3 months.

The recipients who have now waited for months have accused the presidential advisor on security, Tut Gatluak and the former minister of Presidential Affairs Mayiik Ayii Deng for undermining their efforts to get the money.

A former commissioner from Maiwut state (defunct), who asked not to be named, accused Mayiik and Tut Gatluak of corruption and embezzlement saying they are capable of swindling the funds meant for compensation of governors and commissioners.

“We want our compensation or take the path of rebellion. We were promised 60,000 US dollars for the commissioners and 100,000 US dollars for the governors,” said unnamed former commissioner.

The group on Thursday sent four representatives to the deputy minister of Finance, Agok Makur Kur to discuss the arrangement on the disbursement of funds.

The four included David Yau Yau, former Governor of Buma State; Gach Wol Guandong, former Minister of  Local Government and Law Enforcement of Maiwut State; Gatkuoth Bim Nyoak, former Minister of Information and Communication of  Latjor State and Lual Teeng, former minister Twic State.

The quartet told the deputy finance minister that their packages were supposed to be cleared within 45 days as per the presidential decree.