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By Emmanuel M Garjiek
Mahjoub Biel, the governor of Jonglei State, has officially suspended Minister of Finance, Planning, and Investment Abraham Riek Yuek, claiming the latter has lost legitimacy.
The State Transitional Legislative Assembly unanimously voted no confidence in the embattled finance minister and impeached him in August 2022 for failing to adequately address concerns about the state budget’s delayed passage and nonpayment of civil servant salaries.
Governor Biel, in a letter dated August 17, 2024, used a vote of no confidence and a legal opinion to suspend the Minister.
“I reference to the letter regarding the vote of no confidence for the State Minister of Finance, Planning, and Investment dated 10 August 2022 and a reminder letter dated 16 December 2024, as well as a Legal Opinion concerning the Vote of No Confidence for the finance minister dated 23 July 2024, I hereby confirm that the minister has lost the legitimacy to serve in this position,” the state’s governor wrote. “Therefore, effective immediately, he is suspended.”
Riek stood before the state legislature two years ago, under heavy scrutiny for his management of state funds. His impeachment, which had widespread support, spurred rapid action by the Acting Speaker at the time, who asked the previous governor, Denay Jock Chagor, to take action against Riek. Chagor replied by suspending two members of parliament, therefore protecting the finance minister.
On December 16, 2024, Speaker Amer Ateny Alier wrote to the incoming governor, reminding him of the legislative decision suspending the finance minister for alleged mismanagement and abuse of public funds. The chief of legal administration in Jonglei repeated the request for suspension, highlighting the constitutionality of such action.
“The suspension is not at all welcome because to me it is a retaliation,” said Riek. “It has nothing to do with the impeachment.”
He also questioned the timing of the ban, arguing that if it was truly about the 2022 vote, it should have been carried out far sooner.
According to Article 99 of the state constitution, the governor has the authority to suspend any state minister facing accusations. The legal framework confirms that the minister’s suspension in this case is in accordance with the constitutional process for dealing with the allegations against him.
