12/03/2026
Breaking News: Deng Kuel Kuel Resigns Over Alleged Corruption Interference
AWEIL, Northern Bahr el Ghazal State — 12 March 2026
The former Commissioner of Aweil North County, Deng Kuel Kuel, has officially resigned from his position, citing political interference in corruption investigations within the county’s education sector.
In a resignation letter addressed to Charles Madut Akol, the governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, Kuel stated that he chose to step down rather than allow corruption to continue under his watch.
According to the letter, the commissioner had suspended several education officials, including the County Education Director, a deputy director, six Payam education supervisors, and three teachers over alleged misconduct.
The accusations include the validation of 16 non-existing primary schools using fake stamps under the Girls’ Education South Sudan (GESS) project, a program intended to support girls’ education through cash transfers. The alleged scheme reportedly involved funds totaling 70,885,000 South Sudanese Pounds (SSP) meant for 532 pupils.
Kuel also claimed that certain officials manipulated school classifications by upgrading 11 primary schools from P5 to P7 to meet eligibility requirements for the program.
Additionally, the letter mentions a separate incident in which a school head teacher and staff allegedly stole food supplies including maize flour, rice, and lentils meant for feeding school pupils.
Despite the suspensions, Kuel alleged that the State Ministry of General Education and Instruction intervened and pushed for the reinstatement of the officials, prompting his decision to resign.
I would rather stay at home with dignity than remain in office with humiliation, he wrote, indicating that he preferred to step aside rather than work with what he described as dishonest officials.
The resignation has sparked debate in Aweil and across South Sudan about accountability and corruption within local government institutions.
