President Salva Kiir (from right) is pictured with former Defence Minister Angelina Teny at Bilpam, Juba. December 15 2022. Photo: Office of the President

The SPLM-IO is hopeful that the next IGAD council of ministers will pressure President Salva Kiir to reinstate Angelina Teny to her defense ministerial position, a senior opposition official has unveiled.

Last month, President Salva Kiir relieved the Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs Angelina Teny, and the Minister of Interior General Mahmoud Solomon.

President Kiir also issued a similar decree switching the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs to the SPLM and the Ministry of Interior to the SPLM-IO.

Despite condemnation from the SPLM-IO, President Kiir went ahead and appointed Agelina’s deputy, Chol Thon Balok to take charge of the ministry.

Puot Both, the acting spokesperson of the First Vice President, Dr. Riek MacHar pointed out that the opposition party hopes that the upcoming IGAD Council of Ministers meeting in Juba.

The meeting is expected to be held in Juba next week – to address the implementation of the peace agreement.

“Our position still remains that there is a violation that is made by the President and the violation such as the removal of the minister of defense, honorable Angelina Teny, and the swap of the ministry,” Puot told Eye Radio.

“There is an IGAD council of minister meeting here in Juba on the 18^th [April 2023] concerning the situation of South Sudan, hopefully, they can manage to stand with the implementation of the peace agreement, and also urge President Salva Kiir to call off his violations and unilateral decisions, and also to resolve that all the parties commit to the implementation of the peace agreement in letter and spirit.”

Eye Radio could not indecently verify if there was a planned IGAD meeting in Juba next week.