By Enyichukwu Enemanna
South Sudan President Salva Kiir has relieved the country’s speaker and deputy speaker of parliament of their positions, a decree read out in the parliament on Tuesday said.
Chief whip of Kiir’s ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), Tulio Odongi Ayahu announced the decree sacking Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba and her deputy, Permena Awerial Aluong, from their posts in the Transitional National Legislative Assembly.
The move follows a petition last week by SPLM caucus members accusing Kumba of corruption in connection with alleged mismanagement of parliamentary funds, calling for her immediate removal.
Kumba, who made history in 2021 as the first woman to serve as speaker in the East African country’s parliament, has not responded to the allegations.
Kiir has appointed Joseph Ngere Paciko and Abuk Paiti Ayiik as the new speaker and deputy speaker, respectively.
The removal comes after Kiir in late February abruptly fired the then Finance Minister Bak Barnaba Chol, who had been in office for just three months, without giving a reason.
Analysts are of the opinion that Kiir frequently reshuffles senior political and military posts to maintain his grip on power amid persistent instability and speculation over his eventual succession.
