South Sudan President Salva Kiir has named Lily Martin Manyiel Ayuel as his press secretary, replacing Ateny Wek Ateny.

Ayuel’s appointment was announced on state television (SSBC) on Friday.

The new press secretary, in a statement, pledged to bridge the gap between the office of the South Sudanese leader, his team and the general public.

“First and foremost, I would like to thank His Excellency President Kiir, for the trust and confidence he bestowed upon me for the appointment as his Press Secretary. It is an honor and privilege to serve in this important office. I hope I will be of great service to the office of the President, the team, and South Sudan as a whole,” Ayuel said in a post on her Facebook page.

She added, “To my fellow South Sudanese, with this position, I hope to be the bridge between you and the office of the president. My office will be committed and dedicated to serving you to my fullest capacity”.

Ateny described his successor as the “right person for the right position”.

Ayuel is a daughter of the late Martin Manyeil Ayuel, a former member of Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) politico-military high command.