Kiir appoints The Citizen newspaper commentator as his press secretary

November 27, 2013 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s president, Salva Kiir Mayardit, has appointed The Citizen newspaper political commentator, Ateny Wek Ateny, as his office press secretary.

Salva Kiir speaks to the media at the Presidential Guest House in Juba, on May 26, 2011(Paul Banks UNMIS)

Ateny has been commenting on various political incidents and processes in the country, mostly dwelling on criticisms of political leaders.

However, his latest piece involving president Kiir might have caught the attention of the president, hence earning him the trust to come closer.

In his commentary published early this month, Ateny launched a complaint in his column in which he criticized the current press team in the office of the President, saying they were letting him down by not adequately responding to media allegations involving the president.

For instance, he criticised Kiir’s press team for not refuting the allegation that he went to South Africa via Kenya in order to attend to a medical attention, describing the silence of the president’s press team as a "conspiracy".

Kiir on Wednesday issued a republican decree number 88/2013, appointing Ateny as his new press secretary in ‘grade 1 Super Scale’ in the civil service, making him the most senior press officer in the highest office of the land.

Ateny’s appointment is believed by many to have been a direct response to or payback for his concerns to strengthen the press activities in the president’s office.

Others however believed that it was an attempt to try to silence his daily criticisms published in his column against senior government officials.

(ST)