July 16, 2021 — South Sudan’s president, Salva Kiir Mayardit, has sworn in a long term political rival, Dr. Costello Garang Ring Lual as a presidential advisor to the presidency.
While Dr. Garang is being sworn in on SSOA ticket to represent opposition alliance, Machar’s Chief of Staff, 1st Lt. Gen Simon Gatwech Dual, would have been sworn in as a presidential advisor on peace, a proposal the IO strongman has strongly rejected.
The oath-taking ceremony, which was performed on Thursday morning, July 15, 2021 was attended by president Kiir and his closed allies but the First Vice President did not bother to attend.
“His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit has this morning Thursday 15th July 2021, presided over the swearing in ceremony of Hon. Dr. Costello Garang Ring Lula as Advisor to the Presidency.” Read part of the statement from Kiir’s office.
“The oath-taking was administered by Chief Justice Chan Reech Madut in the Office of the President, witnessed by Presidential Advisor on Security Affairs” They said.
The event was attended by Hon. Tut Gatluak, the presidential Advisor on Security, Minister of Cabinet Affairs Hon. Martin Elia Lomoro and the Executive Director in the Office of the President Hon. James Deng Wal.
