Denay Chagor, the governor of Jonglei state - (Courtesy).

The governor of Jonglei State Denay Jock Chagor relieved the Mayor of Bor town in a gubernatorial order on Monday, amid the disputed leasing of public land to investors in the state capital.

The order seen by Eye Radio cited the governor’s constitutional powers in the removal of Samuel Ateny Pech.

Chagor also reinstated Isaac Mamer, the Minister of Land, Housing and Public Utilities, who was suspended by his deputy on March 23, 2023.

Jacob Akech Dengdit, the state’s second most senior official suspended Isaac Mamer Ruk Anyieth on Thursday amid land disputes in Bor town.

The minister was suspended amid land disputes – including the eviction of women from their selling point as well as the issue of Bor City Garden.

Mamer believes that he might have been suspended because he canceled all the local arrangements made by the Bor town Mayor and gave those lands back to their owners.

“In reference to the letter of the Deputy Governor of Jonglei State dated March 23, suspending the minister of Land, Housing and Public Utilities, that order was not legal and did not follow the constitution,” Chagor said in the order.

“In this regard, Hon. Isaac Mamer has been reinstated back to his office as a Minister of Lands, Housing and Public Utilities of Jonglei State with effect from 27th day of March 2023.”

In a similar order, Governor Chagor also suspended land allotments in the state capital Bor.

On Monday, the chairperson of Jonglei Civil Society Network threatened to take Bor Municipal authorities to court over the land rift between local traders and Bor mayor.

Bol Deng Bol accused the town mayor of allocating the land to unidentified rich investor “at the expense of the poor people.”

When contacted for comments, Bor town mayor Samuel Ateny denied the allegations, saying the traders lost ownership of the land in question after their five-year agreement with the municipality expired.