South Sudan's Kiir sacks parliament speaker and deputy

NAIROBI, April 7 (Reuters) - ‌South Sudan ​President ​Salva Kiir has sacked the East African nation's speaker and deputy speaker ‌of parliament, according to a decree ⁠read out in the parliament on Tuesday.

* Tulio Odongi ‌Ayahu, chief whip of ‌Kiir's ruling SudanPeople's Liberation Movement (SPLM), announced the decreeremoving Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba and her ​deputy, PermenaAwerial Aluong, from their posts in the Transitional NationalLegislative Assembly. * The move ⁠follows a petition last week by SPLM caucusmembers accusing Kumba ​of corruption linked to the allegedmismanagement of parliamentary funds and calling for herremoval. * ​Kumba, who made history ‌in 2021 as the first woman toserve as speaker of South Sudan's ⁠parliament, has not respondedto the allegations. * Kiir appointed Joseph Ngere Paciko and Abuk Paiti Ayiik asthe ⁠new speaker and deputy speaker, respectively. * The sackings come ​after Kiir in late February abruptlyfired the then Finance Minister Bak Barnaba Chol, who had beenin office ‌for just three months, without giving a reason. * Analysts say Kiir ‌frequently reshuffles senior politicaland military posts to ⁠maintain his grip on ‌power amid persistentinstability ​and speculation over his eventual succession.

(Writing by Vincent Mumo NzilaniEditing by Bate ‌Felix)

---

Serious News for Serious Traders! Try StreetInsider.com Premium Free!

---

You May Also Be Interested In

• Norway to help Russians stranded in Arctic after ship seizure, government says
• White House arcade games invite players to block border 'siege', fill Trump Accounts
• Brazil's Supreme Court faces rare test as justices turn against each other