President Kiir Fires His Finance Minister; Re-appoints David Deng Athorbei
January 12, 2015 (SSB) — News just in from Juba indicates that President Salva Kiir Mayaardit has dismissed finance affairs and economic planning minister, Hon. Aggrey Tisa Sabuni.
The dismissed Aggrey Tisa Sabuni has been reappointed as a presidential advisor. Previously before his appointment as minister, Sabuni was President Kiir economic advisor. He was appointed minister in July 2013.
David Deng Athorbei, former finance and economic minister under Kiir, has been re-appointed to replace Aggrey Tisa Sabuni.
David Deng Athorbei is the guy whose signature (Deng Athorbei) is in the South Sudanese national currency. It was during his era as finance and economic minister that “mith apuol” epigram was invented.
No reason has been given for the sudden change of guards.
Rebels of Riek Machar are likely to exploit this move by the president to charge him of tribalism and regionalism.
Deng Athorbei, MP representing Yirol West county of Lakes state at the South Sudan legislative assembly, is a Dinka from Lakes state while Aggrey Tisa Sabuni is a Kuku from Kajo-keji in Central Equatoria state.
David Deng Athorbei was a close aide of Dr. John Garang during the war of liberation, in charge of his personal affairs, and was widely credited for pushing to have the “head” of Dr. John Garang in the national currency.
About Post Author
