National Legislative Assembly in Juba, June 2013. Photo: Murray Olds/EyeRadio

The appointment of the nominated Minister of Justice, Telar Ring Deng has been rejected by the national assembly.

The select committee, in charge of vetting the nominees, said in its report to the assembly that the integrity and competence of the nominees were the criteria for checking appointees.

Last week, the Select Committee of the National Parliament questioned Telar’s qualifications and experiences and further conducted a background check on him.

Speaking to Eye Radio on Sunday, the deputy chairman of the Legislation and Justice Committee, Permena Awerial Aluong said there were questions raised over Telar’s academic papers and some financial transactions that were done through him.

“There was this allegation that Telar has no degree in law and that was the whole issue. But at last he brought all his documents and he was cleared on that.

“The other issue was something concerning his document case with Southern Sudan bank concerning the land of petrol station and something like that.

“He wrote something while he was the advisor of the president.”

Although the committee rejected Mr. Ring, they passed the nominations of four deputy ministers.

After the final vote through a secret ballot, the speaker of the National Legislative Assembly, Honorable James Wani Igga, read out the result:

“As a result of these voting,… it is clear that only four of these deputy ministers have been passed.

These are: Honorable Nadia Arop Dudi, Honorable Mary Awai Jervase, Ms. Lily Albino Akol Akol, and Ms. Racheal Nyadak Paul.

“And according to this votes, Mr. Telar Ring Deng has been rejected.”

President Salva Kiir will now need to appoint a new Minister of Justice.

He has yet to appoint his Vice President too.

18 Ministers and deputy Ministers were sworn in last week after members of the National Parliament confirmed.