By Yiep Joseph
South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit has dismissed Minister of Water and Irrigation Pal Mai Deng.
Mai is a top Dr. Riek Machar ally and the spokesperson of the Sudan People Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO).
He left the country immediately after Dr. Machar’s house arrest in March.
As the position went vacant for a period of more than five months, President Kiir on Wednesday relieved Mai and replaced him with James Mawich Makuac.
The changes were made through presidential decrees read out on the state-owned broadcaster, South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC).
In separate presidential decrees, Kiir also relieved and appointed officials in Eastern Equatoria State.
Some of the ministries where changes were made include Finance, Gender, Cooperative, and Rural Development.
The changes also included the state advisor and state commissions.
The president also reshuffled commissioners in two counties as well as made some changes in state Assembly.