Nyenagwek asks Machar to withdraw her nomination for deputy interior minister

Nyenagwek asks Machar to withdraw her nomination for deputy interior minister

JUBA – South Sudan opposition politician Nyenagwek Kuol who was nominated by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny in February to the position of deputy minister of interior has asked the SPLM-IO leader to withdraw her nomination process after President Salva Kiir refused to appoint her.

Nyenagwek was nominated for the deputy minister of interior in February along with General Simon Gatwech Dual who was appointed as presidential advisor on peace.

But President Kiir has apparently refused to appoint her sparking uproar among SPLM-IO officials who argue that Kiir, a peace partner, has no power to reject opposition nominees to positions allocated to them by the revitalized peace agreement.

In a statement addressed to Machar this afternoon, Nyenagwek asked the opposition leader to replace her as it became clear that the South Sudanese head of state – who hasn’t informed the SPLM-IO if he has rejected her appointment – won’t appoint her.

“I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation for the trust that you have put on me by nominating me for the position of Deputy Minister of Interior. I would like to thank you my chairman for respecting the 35% affirmative action plan of women’s political participation at all levels in the implementation of the R-ARCISS,” she said in the statement.

“Despite your persistent commitment and continuous push for my appointment since Feb 2021 in the prescribed SPLM/IO quota, but the other party gave themselves an unfounded right to veto the SPLM/IO nomination which is part of their delay tactic in the implementation of the R-ARCISS; therefore, I have solemnity decided to abort their plan and request your Excellency to withdraw my nomination in order for you to have a free hand of replacement instead of keeping the position of the SPLM-IO vacant during this interim period,” she added.