By Yiep Joseph
Secretary-General (SG) of the Jonglei state government Gatwech Koak Nyuon, has resigned and relocated to neighboring Ethiopia.
In his resignation letter, dated January 3, 2025, and addressed to Jonglei Governor Mahjoub Biel Turuk, Nyuon cited personal reasons for his departure. However, he did not elaborate on those reasons.
“Your Excellency, due to personal reasons, I am happy to inform you that I officially resigned from the position of secretary general with effect from today,” the statement read partly.
Gatwech was appointed by the former governor, Denay Jock Chagor, and has been serving as a senior civil servant for the duration of four years in Jonglei state.
In the recent days, various sources claimed that the secretary general entered into serious disagreement with the current governor over what he alleged to be mismanagement of the state affairs.
Biel Jiek Lual Chai, press secretary in Office of the Governor confirmed to this outlet that the secretary general resigned.
“The Secretary General of the Jonglei state government has fully resigned,” Biel said.
The press secretary however declined to comment on allegation that the secretary general resigned and left the country due to the threat from governor and some of his political friends.
Many people alleged that Gatwech (former SG) has been in serious misunderstanding with the current governor due to mismanagement of the state’s affairs.
In his resignation, Gatwech appreciated both the current and the former governor for trusting him to serve in the state.
“It was good to briefly work with you under your guidance and leadership for the last seven months. I appreciated it, and I truly thank you for that, he said.
“I appreciated the former governor, HE Denay Jock Chagor, who appointed me during his tenure to serve the people of Jonglei state as a senior civil servant,” he added.
The secretary general, however, revealed that he had handed over the cars to the security agents of the state.
“As you witnessed, I officially handed over the government vehicle that was designated to me,” he said.
However, an anonymous source revealed that the resigned secretary general had left Jonglei state for Ethiopia but failed to reveal why the journey was so urgent immediately after his resignation.
“The former secretary general of Jonglei state has been travelling to Ethiopia immediately after the submission of the resignation letter,” the source said.
The source claimed that there has been disagreement in the state government, citing that while others demand service delivery, some government officials focus on individual gain.
In the recent past, several officials have been having disputes with the governor.
Last year the governor of Jonglei State, Mahjoub Biel, suspended Minister of Finance, Planning, and Investment Abraham Riek Yuek, saying the latter has lost legitimacy.
This is after the State Transitional Legislative Assembly unanimously, In August 2022, passed a vote of no confidence against the embattled finance minister and impeached him for failure to adequately address concerns regarding the delayed passage of the state budget and the non-payment of civil servants’ salaries.
In a letter dated 17 August 2024, Governor Biel cited the vote of no confidence and a legal opinion to suspend the minister.
“I reference the letter regarding the vote of no confidence for the State Minister of Finance, Planning, and Investment dated 10 August 2022 and a reminder letter dated 16 December 2024, as well as a legal opinion concerning the vote of no confidence for the finance minister dated 23 July 2024. I hereby confirm that the minister has lost the legitimacy to serve in this position,” the governor wrote. “Therefore, effective immediately, he is suspended.”
Riek appeared before the state assembly two years ago, facing intense scrutiny over his handling of state finances.
His impeachment, which had wide support, prompted immediate action from the acting speaker at the time, who urged the former governor, Denay Jock Chagor, to act against Riek. However, Chagor responded by suspending two members of parliament in a move that shielded the finance minister.
On 16 December 2024, Speaker Amer Ateny Alier wrote to the new governor, reminding him of the parliamentary resolution to suspend the finance minister for alleged mismanagement and misappropriation of public funds. The head of legal administration in Jonglei also echoed the call for the suspension, emphasizing the legality of such action.