President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar shake hands after their meeting in Juba, South Sudan October 19, 2019 - Courtesy

The leader of SPLM-IO, Dr. Riek Machar was requested by President Kiir to swap the Ministry of Defense with the Interior but declined to accept the request, this is according to documents seen by Eye Radio.

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

He also fired the Minister of Interior, Mahmoud Solomon, and gave the post to the SPLM-IO, causing a rift between the SPLM-IG and the SPLM-IO.

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

However, in a document seen by Eye Radio, the Minister of Presidential Affairs, Dr. Baranaba Marial, on behalf of President Salva Kiir, has officially written to Dr. Machar asking him to swap the ministry of defense with the interior ministry.

“His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayaradit has asked me to write and kindly request your esteemed office to give him the ministry of Defense and Veterans’ Affairs in exchange for another ministry, for example, the Ministry of Interior,” Dr. Marial said in a statement.

“While His Excellency the President is expressing appreciation for Your Excellency’s prompt and positive consideration of this request, please accept the assurance of our highest esteem.”

In response, the SPLM-IO leader, Dr. Machar says President Kiir can exercise effective command with Minister Angelina Teny.

“I am writing in response to the suggestion above [Request for exchange of Ministry of Defense and Veterans Affairs for another Ministry], I believe the President can exercise effective command with the current Minister [Angelina Teny] over the national army in order to defend the whole territory of South Sudan, its people and resources,” Dr. Machar wrote in a statement.

The Minister of Cabinet Affairs said President Salva Kiir relieved 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 spirits 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 concerned about administrative challenges,” Dr. Lomuro told the media.