President Salva Kiir Mayardit has appointed Malual Gabriel Kon as the new Speaker of the Jonglei State Assembly.

A presidential decree published on the notice board of the State Ministry of Cabinet Affairs on Monday confirmed the appointment.

He replaces Amer Ateny Alier, who was removed from the position in February.

Both officials are members of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO).

Kon previously served as Jonglei State Minister of Peacebuilding before his removal in March.

His supporters welcomed the appointment through social media posts.