General Marol replaced longtime police chief, General Majak Akec, who was fired a day after President Kiir returned from Riyadh – where he had travelled to attend the Saudi-Africa Summit.

The police official took oath of office together with newly appointed Presidential Advisor on Peace, Moses Gatkuoth Lony in a ceremony administered by the Chief Justice Chan Reec Madut.

Kiir emphasized on reforming the police into professional security force, adding that: “what we are doing is shaping the way for us to move to one direction of building a peaceful, united and develop South Sudan,” according to a statement from the presidency.

Both Interior Minister Angelina Teny and her Deputy Marial Gumke expressed readiness to “provide adequate security to the civil population” and while stressing that the police have a prime responsibility to provide a conducive environment for citizens, especially during election.

The former IPG, Gen. Akec was sacked just days after rumors of coup attempt, triggered by a heavy deployment of security forces, creeped on social media.