Africa-Press – South-Sudan. South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit is reportedly planning to reappoint into the government, former minister of petroleum Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, who was replaced by Daniel Awow in June 2019, several senior government officials with direct knowledge of the president’s plan have told Sudans Post.
Gatkuoth was the oil minister from 2016 to June 2019. He was appointed into the position on the ticket of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) faction led by then First Vice President Taban Deng Gai who replaced Machar following the infamous July 2016 fighting at presidential guards.
Speaking to Sudans Post on Friday evening, one senior government official who refused to be named said Kiir has expressed interest in bringing back Ezekiel Gatkuoth into the government with his reappointment into unspecified senior government position being planned for October.
“The president has made it very clear that he is planning to appoint Amb. Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth to the government. According to the information I have, Ezekiel will be appointed around mid-October this year into a very senior government position because several ministers are now seen as not capable y the president,” the source said.
Another senior government official said he has been informed of the president’s plan, but said he has no more details as to when the former minister will be re-appointed into the government saying another official is also expected to be appointed along with Mr. Ezekiel Gatkuoth.
“Actually, I am hearing about that but currently I don’t have more deals as to when and as to which position is going to be given to him. What I am hearing is that the governor of Jonglei state Denay Jock Chagor is going to be appointed to, but I don’t know which position as well he will be appointed to,” the source said.
