Kiir presides over the swearing-in of S. Sudan’s new army chief, presidential minister

It will be recalled that Kiir recently issued series of republican decrees dismissing and appointing senior officials in his office and the national security sector.

In a statement on the social media page of the office of the president, the presidency said Marial, the new army chief, director-general of external security bureau Simin Yien Makuac and the deputy governor of Eastern Equatoria state Mary Nadio were sworn in a ceremony administered by Chief Justice Chan Reec Madut before President Kiir.

“President Salva Kiir Mayardit also swore in General Santino Deng Wol as the Chief of South Sudan people’s Defence Forces and General Simon Yien Makuac as the Director General of General Intelligence Bureau, National Security Service,” the statement further mentioned.

“The swearing-in ceremony for the newly appointed Government officials, Army Chief and the Director-General of General Internal Bureau National Security Service, was administered by the Chief Justice Chan Reech Madut in the Office of the President before H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit, First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny, senior government officials and heads of National Security organs.”

The statement concludes that Chol Thon Balok has not been sworn in today as the Deputy Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs because he is not present in the Country, but he will  take his oath of office when he returns to the Country.”