Kiir replaces deputy minister of public service

File photo: Gen. Khalid Botrous

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir on Monday evening fired the deputy minister of public service who is a senior member of the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA).

Deputy Minister Gen. Khalid Botrous Bora – who held the position for more than two years – was sacked in a decree read out on state media. No reasons were given for firing him.

His removal comes after President Kiir, First Vice President Riek Machar and SSOA leaders agreed on the unification of the armed forces' command as stipulated in the 2018 peace agreement.

In another decree, President Kiir replaced Khalid Botrous with Gen. Julius Tabuley Daniel, who is also a senior member of SSOA.

Both Khalid and Tabley are belonging the National Salvation Front (NAS) faction, which is an organization within the South Sudan Opposition Alliance.

In early April, the parties to the peace agreement signed a security deal in Juba that sets out terms of integrating SPLA-IO and SSOA commanders into government forces.

Under the deal, President Kiir’s faction got a 60% representation in key leadership positions in the military, police, national security, wildlife and prisons. Riek Machar’s SPLA-IO and SSOA took the remaining 40%.

Gen. Khalid Butrous signed the agreement on behalf of SSOA.