President Salva Kiir of South Sudan has fired his foreign minister, less than a week after dismissing his defence and interior ministers. There was no explanation given for the dismissal of Mayiik Ayii Deng, which was announced on state television in a decree.
The sacked minister is a Kiir ally who previously served as minister in the president’s office.
The firings last week have threatened to derail a peace agreement with opposition leader First Vice-President Riek Machar. The opposition demanded the reinstatement of Angelina Teny, whom Mr Kiir fired as defence minister and gave to his party. Mrs Teny is Mr Machar’s wife as well.
The UN urged the parties to exercise restraint and engage in a collaborative team spirit in order to resolve such sensitive national issues.