President Salva Kiir has fired about four state governors.

The governors of Western Equatoria, Warrap, Central Equatoria, and Upper Nile, were sacked through a decree read on the state television, SSTV, this evening.

It is unclear why the President removed them from their respective offices. Their replacements were also announced.

Simon Kun (Upper Nile) has been replaced by Chol Thon, while Patrick Raphile Zamoi replaced Joseph Bakosoro (Western Equatoria);

Clement Wani (Central Equatoria) has been replaced by Juma Ali, and Nyandeng Malek of Warrap, by Akech Tong.

The four were elected into their offices during the 2010 general elections.

In a separate decree, the president appointed Maj-Gen Akot Deng as the governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal. Acting Caretaker governor Salva Chol is now the deputy governor.

According to the transitional constitution, a by-election must be held 60 days after removal of a state governor.

However, it has been over 700 days now since the governors of Jonglei, Lakes, and Unity states were sent home. But no such an exercise has been deployed to replace the leaders.