South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit has dismissed six state ministers and eight other senior officials in Lakes State in a major reshuffle of the state government.
The changes were announced in a series of Republican Decrees issued by President Kiir, affecting the revitalised transitional government of Lakes State.
Among those removed are the ministers responsible for Cabinet Affairs, Information and Communication, Culture, Youth and Sports, Housing, Land and Public Utilities, Labour and Public Service, and General Education and Instruction.
President Kiir also relieved a state adviser, four officials serving on state independent commissions and four county commissioners.
The county officials removed from office are the commissioners of Rumbek East, Rumbek North, Yirol West and Awerial counties.
The decrees also revoked the state parliamentary seat of Rafael Bang Mayor, who was subsequently appointed as the new minister of Information and Communication.
Kiir appointed new officials to replace those relieved, including Asunta Bawuda James and Gideon Kerdul Chol as state advisers.
Makuac John Rong was appointed Minister of Cabinet Affairs, while Rafael Bang Mayor took over the Information and Communication portfolio. Santino Adong Keloktuol was appointed Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports.
Moses Dhukpuou Maper, Dhuor Akoon Deng and Gabriel Maluac Yak were appointed ministers for Housing, Land and Public Utilities; Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Development; and General Education and Instruction respectively.
The president also appointed new members to state commissions and new commissioners for the four affected counties.
Mapuor Malek Malual, previously the commissioner of Rumbek East County, was appointed to the same position under the new changes, while John Beliu Awol, Makuei Achinkoch Mabor and Biar Dhieu Akujang were appointed commissioners of Rumbek North, Yirol West and Awerial respectively.
Dominic Mabor Majok was appointed to the Lakes State Legislative Assembly.
The decrees did not give specific reasons for the removals. President Kiir thanked the outgoing officials for their service and contributions to Lakes State and wished the newly appointed officials success in their new assignments.
The changes took effect immediately upon being signed by President Kiir.
