South Sudan cabinet restricts access to President Kiir

JUBBA, South Sudan - The South Sudanese cabinet has restricted access to President Salva Kiir, who has been struggling with ill health for the last couple of years, making it difficult for him to appear in public functions.

President Salva Kiir is facing health challenges and there has been a need to enforce safety protocols to save his life. He has rarely been appearing in public functions for the last two years.

Joseph Bakosoro, the minister for the presidency, said the move seeks to improve the protocols in the president’s office while streamlining the schedules of visitors, the Sudan Tribune reports. The decision was reached after the Council of Ministers approved the matter.

Although the announcement was welcomed by a number of people, others believe it is a strategy to protect personal interests at the expense of the greater good when the country prepares for the general elections due in December 2024.

Some quarters believe the decision could promote a power grab by the military at the time the country is facing uncertainty due to the failing health of the president. The move could trigger succession battles, critics believe.

South Sudan’s Deputy Information Minister, Jacob Korok said ministers intending to see the president must first submit a formal request to the cabinet affairs office.

Thereafter, the request would be forwarded to the Ministry of Presidential Affairs. The Presidential Affairs ministry will, upon receiving the request, schedule a meeting.

“So, the ministers will have to fill and submit a form to the minister of cabinet affairs office before rushing to the president’s office. You have to fill out the form, which will be taken to the office of the minister of presidential affairs. And then you will be informed that your time has come. The new measures and procedures are meant to reduce congestion in the president’s office, ” explained Korok.

The directive also affects to presidential advisors, security teams as well as defense officials. The new measures do not, however, apply to the country’s five vice presidents, Sudan Tribune adds.

GAROWE ONLINE