The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mayiik Ayii Deng, and the Minister of Defense, Angelina Teny, have been fired from their posts in the government of South Sudan.
Deng was dismissed after he voted in favor of a UN General Assembly resolution supporting the United States in its efforts to promote peace in Ukraine. The UN General Assembly resolution on Ukraine called for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in the country and affirmed the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 130 in favor, 10 against, and 35 abstentions.
Teny, on the other hand, was fired for refusing to award a $60 million defense contract to Russia following a meeting between Russia’s non-resident ambassador to South Sudan, Vladlen Semivolos, and President Salva Kiir. Teny’s refusal to award the contract was seen as a sign of insubordination by the government.
In a statement released on Wednesday, President Kiir announced the dismissals, stating that he had taken the actions “in the best interest of the people of South Sudan.”
Deng had served as Minister of Foreign Affairs since 2021, while Teny had served as Minister of Defense since March 2020.
This is a developing story, and we will bring you more updates as they become available.