15/10/2022
BREAKING: Appointment of the deputy press secretary in the office of President on the threshold of reverse.
The recently appointed deputy press secretary in the office of President Salva Kiir is rumoured to be revoked after the public went outraged and doubted the legality of the appointment.
This came after a series of debates about whether the post of deputy press secretary in the office of the president has ever existed.
According to the letter of appointment seen by Juba TV, the Executive Director in the Office of the president, Hon. Deng Wal wrote a letter to Hon. Paul Polo Ongee, the Chief Administrator in the Office of the President, requested him to formalise the appointment of Ajou Mareng Akuei with the Ministry of Public Services and Human Resources Development.
“I am pleased to inform your esteemed office of the appointment of Mr Ajhou Mareng Akuei, as the deputy press secretary in the Office of the President, you are requested to formalize his appointment with the Ministry of Public Services and Human Resources, salary scale grade 3. He has the required qualifications, deportment, and integrity to deliver in the job,” the letter read in parts.
However, the public, on the other hand, raised alarm as to why the position that have never existed in the Office of the President, was created by the Executive Director the Office of President and appointed the said person without the knowledge of the Press Secretary and the President.
Last week, President Salva Kiir appointed Lily Manyiel as the Press Secretary in the Office of the President, replacing Hon. Ateny Wek, who hold the position for almost nine years. Ms Lily Manyiel took up the job without the position of Deputy Press Secretary in the Office of the President, according to the associates of President Kiir's office
According to Hon. Deng Wal's letter, among the roles and duties of the Deputy Press Secretary, is to sanction administrative duties and assist the press secretary and advance the mandate of His Excellency, the President.
“Professionally, he will endeavour to perform the dual mandates of representing the office and advancing Press freedom. More explicitly, his responsibilities will include but not be limited to sanction administrative duties, assisting the press secretary in drafting press releases, and writing talking points ……..,” he added.
Different public opinions emerged - in support and opposition – asking whether the newly appointed first female Press Secretary will not be affected by the appointment of her deputy without her knowledge and that of the president.
Juba TV tried to reach out to the Press Secretary in the Office of the President to confirm the trending appointment surrounded by confusion, and the close source disclosed that the Press unit is verifying the appointment and will update the public about the matter. Stressing that if found out to be the Executive Director in the Office of the President responsible for the appointment of the deputy press secretary the knowledge of the Press Secretary, the appointment will be reversed.
“The appointment was made without the knowledge of the president. And we are verifying the appointment of Mr Ajou and the press secretary, Ms Lily will provide the public with the right information,” said the office of the Press associate.
Ajou Mareng is the long-serving reporter of South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation, SSBC in the state house, J1 before he was appointed deputy Press Secretary in the Office of The President, this week.
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