South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Jenifer James
The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO) has rejected the suspension of Akobo County Commissioner Puok Nyang Tutjiek, describing the move as “illegal” and a breach of the 2018 Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
Nyang was suspended on April 17, 2025 by Jonglei State Governor Dr. Riek Gai Kok on accusation of traveling to Ethiopia without authorization.
“We categorically reject the suspension. Hon. Puok Nyang Tutjiek remains the legitimate Commissioner of Akobo County. Any directive from governors not recognised under the R-ARCSS framework is non-binding,” Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, Acting Chairman of SPLM-IO said in a statement issued yesterday.
Pierino questioned the legitimacy of Gai’s own appointment as Governor of Jonglei State, saying it violated the peace agreement since the Jonglei State Governorship belongs to South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA).
“The Governor’s appointment by presidential decree on March 7, 2025, is in itself a violation of the peace deal. The rightful nominee is H.E. Majuob Biel Turuk,” Pierino said.
He cited a letter from the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), dated April 11, which flagged the governor’s appointment as a “serious political violation”.
According to RJMEC, the dismissal of SSOA-nominated Governor of Jonglei, Majoub Biel Turuk and his replacement with an ITGONU nominee without consultation… is a violation.
Pierino compared the Jonglei appointment with a similar case in Upper Nile State, where Lt. Gen James Koang Chuol replaced SPLM-IO’s nominee James Udok Okuch, as governor in March.
“These appointments were not only unilateral but completely disregarded the consultative and inclusive procedures outlined in the peace agreement,” he said.
SPLM-IO is now urging RJMEC and peace guarantors to intervene.
Meanwhile, Gai defended last week the suspension of Nyang, whom he accused of abandoning his post and travelling across the border to Ethiopia without state permission, a move he claimed violates international migration laws.
“You once again left your official workplace, the county headquarters in Akobo, without permission or even a courtesy notice to the state authority,” Gai wrote.
The governor also criticised Nyang for hosting Pangak County Commissioner without notifying the state government and for issuing a press release under the title “Chairperson of SPLM-IO of Bich Area”, a body Gai claimed does not exist under South Sudanese law.
