By William Madouk
The newly appointed Governor of Upper Nile state, Gen. James Koang Chuol, has suspended the commissioner of Nasir County, Jame Gatluak Lew.
Mr Gatluak is a member of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In-Opposition (SPLM-IO), led by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, who is currently under house arrest in Juba.
In a suspension order obtained by King Media, Governor Chuol issued directives depriving Nasir Commissioner of his responsibilities.
“In exercise of powers conferred upon me under article 98 (2) (a) of the Transitional Constitution of Upper Nile State 2011 and in reference to Presidential Decree No. RSS/ RD/J/112/2025 dated 19 March 2025 AD,” order partly reads.
“I, H.E. Gen. James Koang Chuol Ranlay, Governor of Upper Nile State, do hereby Issue this Gubernatorial Decree No. 03/2025 for suspension of Hon. James Gatluak Lew Thiep, Commissioner of Nasir County, Upper Nile State,” it added.
The State boss did not state the reason for suspending the Nasir Commissioner in an order that took immediate effect on April 4, 2025.
Similarly, Governor Koang had to suspend the State Minister of Finance and Planning, Pal Deng Kerweth, who is also allied to First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar.
These suspensions have come amidst the ongoing tensions within South Sudan’s unity government, formed under the 2018 peace deal between President Salva Kiir and Machar.
The agreement established power-sharing arrangements at both national and state levels.
Massive membership changes have occurred within the opposition outfit SPLM-IO in recent months, as some defect while others are sacked and replaced.
However, the SPLM-IO leadership in the state could not immediately be reached for comment.