South Sudan: SPLM-IO to Replace Late Minister Manawa Peter

The deputy chairperson of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in opposition (SPLM-IO) has disclosed that plans are underway to name a replacement for the deceased water and irrigation minister, Manawa Peter Gatkuoth who died in Egypt in July.

Nathaniel Oyet, who is also the Deputy Speaker of the revitalized transitional national parliament, said that the SPLM-IO leadership is holding meetings and consultations to replace the deceased minister.

“His (Gatkuoth’s) replacement is coming and this is a process. We waited for the 40 days to elapse and then we held a funeral prayer and now we are in the process of consultations for his replacement,” he said.

According to the SPLM-IO deputy chairperson, several potential replacements have already been nominated to take up the ministerial portfolio but he did not name them, saying it was an internal party matter.

“There are names nominated but we have not taken a decision. This is our internal process,” he said.

Minister Manawa Peter Gatkuoth passed on at a Cairo hospital after being flown there for treatment in June.

First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar during the burial of the deceased minister said the latter succumbed to high blood pressure and heart complications.

Chol Mawel