By Enyichukwu Enemanna
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has dismissed the country’s Inspector-General of Police, Majak Akech Malok over alleged coup plot.
The sacked police chief who has been in office since February 2018, was succeeded by General Atem Marol Biar, a statement attributed to President Kiir, and read out on state television South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), said on Tuesday.
Coup rumours emerged over the weekend when Mr Kiir was participating at a summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, a rumour that has been downplayed by leading security figures.
Local media reported that 27 military and intelligence officials had been arrested in response to the development.
Next year South Sudan is due to hold its first election since it gained independence in 2011 from Sudan.
A five year civil war ended in a peace deal in 2018 but the agreement is yet to be fully implemented and the country remains fragile.
Until his appointment, the new police boss, Biar, served as the Director-General of the Directorate of Civil Registry, Nationality, Passports, and Immigration.
