Dr. Martin Elia Lomoro, Minister of Cabinet Affairs. | 10th August 2022. | Photo: Lou Nelson/Eye Radio.

The Minister of Cabinet Affairs said President Salva Kiir relieved the Defense Minister Angelina Teny in order to take charge of the ministry and expedite the security arrangements.

Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro said the decision of President Kiir was in good spirit and for the speedy implementation of the revitalized peace agreement.

“The President clearly stated that, he does not have a personal issue with the minister, or that he is concern about administrative challenges,” Dr. Lomuro told the media.

On Friday, March 3, 2023, Kiir removed Angelina Teny from the defense ministry and swapped the position to his party.

He also fired the minister of interior, Mahmoud Solomon, and gave the post to the SPLM-IO.

But the SPLM-IO protested the decree and republican order, saying it was not consulted.

A week later, President Kiir and his first deputy, Dr. Riek Machar met over the matter.

But the meeting was adjourned to another time after the two leaders failed to reach a breakthrough.

Speaking to journalists in Juba on Monday, Minister Lomuro said the president fired the defense minister to take charge of the ministry.

“His concern is the fact that these forces that are now unified, is called the unified forces, is now under the command of one person, that is the commander in chief who is the President.”

“He (Kiir) realizes that the timescale for implementation of the roadmap is very tied, and yet the ministry of defense is one of those ministries that is fundamental to provide the ground for the establishment of professional security sector.”

“So he wants to take charge, so that when he gives orders, no one will stop doing what he says must be done, because sometimes you know technocrats can undermine decisions made by a minister.”

He adds: “But if the President is in charge, nobody will stop. That’s why he wants to take full responsibility to be able to complete the unification of the forces, deployment of the forces.”