NAIROBI, April 7 (Reuters) - South Sudan President Salva Kiir has sacked the East African nation’s speaker and deputy speaker of parliament, according to a decree read out in the parliament on Tuesday.
* Tulio Odongi Ayahu, chief whip of Kiir’s ruling SudanPeople’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), announced the decreeremoving Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba and her deputy, PermenaAwerial Aluong, from their posts in the Transitional NationalLegislative Assembly. * The move follows a petition last week by SPLM caucusmembers accusing Kumba of corruption linked to the allegedmismanagement of parliamentary funds and calling for herremoval. * Kumba, who made history in 2021 as the first woman toserve as speaker of South Sudan’s parliament, has not respondedto the allegations. * Kiir appointed Joseph Ngere Paciko and Abuk Paiti Ayiik asthe new speaker and deputy speaker, respectively. * The sackings come after Kiir in late February abruptlyfired the then Finance Minister Bak Barnaba Chol, who had beenin office for just three months, without giving a reason. * Analysts say Kiir frequently reshuffles senior politicaland military posts to maintain his grip on power amid persistentinstability and speculation over his eventual succession.(Writing by Vincent Mumo NzilaniEditing by Bate Felix)
