Ateny Wek Ateny-Presidential Press Secretary.

The Office of the President has defended the appointment of new presidential advisors.

Last month, President Salva Kiir issued a decree appointing 10 advisors. Nine others are yet to be appointed to make a total of 19.

On Monday, the chairman of the National Alliance, Dr Lam Akol, said the appointment of more presidential advisors is a waste of public funds.

Dr Akol, who is also the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, said the advisors would be too many without service to the public.

But Presidential Press Secretary Ateny Wek Ateny says President Salva Kiir, First Vice President Dr Riek Machar and Vice President James Wani have agreed on the number.

Mr Ateny told Eye Radio that the decision of the leaders of the transitional government should not be contradicted by members of the TGoNU.

“The agreement of the resolution of conflict in the Republic of South Sudan is silent about what number of presidential advisors should the president appoint,” Mr Ateny said. “So it is the prerogative of the president.”