By Hou Akot Hou
The commissioner of Aweil North County in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State has resigned following a suspension issued by the state government last week.
The commissioner, Deng Kuel Kuel, submitted his resignation after facing allegations of misconduct, including claims that he had improperly taken control of a vehicle belonging to the county health department. Local residents in Aweil North also accused him of arbitrarily arresting teachers, which increased tensions in the county.
In response to the complaints and accusations of insubordination, the office of the state governor issued a suspension letter against Kuel pending further administrative action.
Following the suspension, Kuel announced his resignation, stating that he believed the state authorities had taken sides with individuals he claimed were in conflict with him in the county.
“I have made a decision to resign because the state authorities are trying to infringe on and breach my leadership rights in the county. Therefore, I have resigned effective immediately upon receiving the suspension letter,” Kuel said.
After the resignation, William Wel Deng, a Member of Parliament from Northern Bahr el Ghazal who hails from Aweil North County, called for accountability regarding the allegations against the outgoing commissioner.
In a post on Facebook, Deng urged the state governor to ensure that Kuel is investigated and audited before leaving office.
He also alleged that the former commissioner may have taken a county ambulance and called on authorities to issue an arrest warrant if necessary.