In South Sudan's governance system, President Kiir has demonstrated a pattern of rotating governors based on security performance and political dynamics, as evidenced by the removal of Governor Jacob Dollar from Upper Nile State after 6-7 months due to ongoing confrontations between SPLMIO and SSPDF, and his replacement by James Kong Chol, who had previously served in the same position; this rotation reflects the broader challenge of balancing military leadership with political governance in conflict-affected regions, where effective leadership requires both security capabilities and political intelligence to address complex governance issues.
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🔥WHY PRESIDENT KIIR FIRED DOLLAR RUOT (UPPER NILE GOVERNOR), REPLACED BY JAMES KOANG CHUOL🤔🇸🇸⁉️Added:
uh Jacob Dollar appears to have failed to contain the rebellion in that area.
There has been significant comproations by the SPMIO and therefore the government appears to be defeated in that front and to get someone who can be more assertive and respected by the SSPDF in that front which is basically the front of the Apanai region it's important to bring someone else in that region. come to General Cop he's not a politician he came from military background so as a politician that I have been that is become my career I've been in politics so it's not you cannot post people like like the way you command actually soldier you are dealing with intellectual you are dealing with the people who are well informed politically educational they need a peaceful approach not a military approach not a command Ask them how their opinion what do they want.
>> Welcome to Jimosi podcast. So today president K fired the governor of Aanile state Mr. Jacob Dollar R who he appointed last year in October >> and now in April he has fired him. is like approximately 6 to 7 months after his service in the upper Nile and the person that actually replaced him or his replacement as of today >> is James Kong Chol people say James Kongch but sometime I call it James Kongch but let's say James Kongch >> I think it's Ch >> James Kongch yeah but I but I'll counter check >> Mhm. James Kong >> and this is the same person James Kong that has been put back into the position of a governor >> was the governor that was replaced last year in October >> that was replaced by >> that was replaced by dollar.
>> Mhm.
>> And him that is James Kong he was also a governor for 6 months.
>> Mhm.
>> After he was appointed in March of 2025.
And we even cover here on podcast and there was a speculation that the reason why he was appointed in March >> of 2025 was due to the nasal fighting incident that happened.
>> Mhm.
>> And for that reason maybe Sal was looking for somebody that will go and take some kind of activities and stuff right somebody with military background.
Mhm.
>> So that's why people thought that it was appointed >> who >> Jimmy Kong >> but 6 month later or 6 to 7 month later was replaced by dollar >> and then now dollar has been replaced again by him.
>> So it's you see the same recycling >> that we see in the national government is the one that is also happening with the states and especially now with the uni state and uppan state. Yeah, >> because in state they keep recycling the other guy >> Joseph.
>> Mhm.
>> Yeah. And the guy that he replaced.
>> Yeah. Refam I think.
>> Yes. So this is what happened and like dollar himself when he was appointed he went ahead and like tried to work hard even say like >> he's going to move the capital temporarily move the capital of the upper state to Naser >> because uh the capital is supposed to be in it's in Malika not supposed to be >> he's in Malakal >> but then there were some other incidences of insecurity in in Naser or for some reason he was going to fix something there. He moved there temporarily.
>> Mhm. I think he moved there because of that NASA incident.
>> So he was kind of going to address the problems at the grassroot level.
>> Mhm.
>> Yeah. And then which to me was a good thing.
>> Yes. And if the security situation goes back to normaly >> then he could move back to Malaka.
>> Yes.
>> Which is a great thing. I agree with you that these leaders are supposed to be where they are serving the people. If there's an incident that happens in one place and it's part of your constituency or part of your >> area, >> your area or your state, you are supposed to go there. And that's one of the things that the the chief administrative the chief administrator of Pibore has been doing.
>> Every time there's cattle rustling incidences, he goes to those areas and then does his investigation. make sure that whoever is responsible pays for it and they return the kettle.
>> Yeah.
>> And even initiated one of the cleaning general cleaning in in Nasel.
>> Okay.
>> That is dollar and it was participating there. But you know like our people some people were commenting why is he only walking and not carrying was like other people the DS and kind of things.
>> Okay. So he went with people to do the cleaning. Yes. But then people said why is he not participating?
>> Yeah. That much he was picking few things here and there but >> he's the leader at the end of the day. I would also want to know why was he not actively engaged.
>> Mhm.
>> Leaders are expected to lead by example.
So if you initiate an activity and then you are not like actively engaged >> then people would definitely question your motives for what you are doing.
>> Yes. And when when his replacement was announced or when yeah when his replacement was announced, >> did Tamazoo actually reach out to one of uh political activists or yeah political activist to give his opinion of what he think might have been the reason why he was replaced. and they reach out to Baboa James Edimon >> who is a political analyst and executive director of the Institute of Social Policy Research >> in South Sudan. So let's listen to what is said >> and then we'll we'll put our two cents on some other things here.
>> Okay. What I want to say more openly is that there is ongoing military operations in Jong state particularly in the area of Kobo and then there is also another active confrontation between the white army and SSPDF in the area of Aani uh especially that site of Nasher and its surrounding areas.
So for the last I think almost 1 month uh Jacob dollar appears to have failed to contain the rebellion in that area.
There has been significant confrontations by the SPLMIO and therefore the government appears to be defeated in that front and to get someone who can be more assertive and respected by the SSPDF in that front which is basically the front of the upper region it's important to bring someone else in that region. So one of the most characteristics of someone like that is definitely uh General James Kong to come back uh to that uh to that to that operation. So that is one of the main reasons as to why the president actually makes some of those changes.
But James Kong of course tried before right after the the the incident that happens in u in NASA uh leading to the arrest of vice president first vice president Rak Machar and some of the officials and has been therefore as a governor for quite some time he never made significant changes so I don't know if this general has changed If this general now has more powers than before to cause the required effect whether using kinetical power or so on and so forth is something that yet to be seen. So again it goes back to the issue of rotating officials within you know Salvakir's government and um these kind of uh rotations uh I don't know if it will bring really good news but we wait to see but I think I just want to advise the president to really think about this kind of rotations because it has a negative implications in the way uh you know governance is all about in South Sudan because these are very people that have tried they failed they tried they failed. So what else do you think they can do you know beside what they have already done so I think those are the questions that many South are asking and they're looking for answers and appears to be failing to get answers from the president. Uh so uh because you know the same people every single time no solutions the same people every single time no solutions. So can we go beyond that? Can we begin to look at some people who are not you know able to get in the positions of leadership to be entrusted and probably maybe the answer will be to go to get back to the peace agreement and begin to you know holistically and inclusivity implement this peace agreement then you can begin to see some of the changes but finally also it's important to talk about dialogue because the spirit of dialogue works in South Sudan if there is a political will and there seriousness But where there's you know lack of seriousness but people claim to be serious then you see the same issues happening. So I think those are the major issues from theical perspective I want to bring to the people of South Sudan and also the president who is actually the appointing and also the you know uh the the sacking authority. Uh thank you so much.
So do you agree with Baboa James who stated that Governor Jacob of dollar watch was fired because of ongoing fighting in the upper NY region like he mentioned at the beginning of video that there have been confrontation between SPLMIO and SPDF in those part of Nile and army.
>> Yeah. And maybe the president feel like >> uh dollar is not assertive enough. So he needs somebody that might be respected by those PDF that are there or such something along those line as he has just mentioned. Do you agree with him? I agree with him that the replacement might have been due to the insecurity incidences or the security issues with regards to the ongoing fights in different parts of the state >> and also in other states as well where SS SPDF has been fighting with SPLMI the white army and different groups. Mhm.
>> So I think it's kind of justified and like we have seen in the past has been switching up these people. So at this point it just doesn't make sense.
>> Mhm.
>> Yeah. Because if you are going to replace someone with someone that they replaced in March, this means these two individuals have served in that capacity during the duration of the insecurity.
>> Mhm. So why would you think replacing them with the person that they replaced would make any sense?
>> Yeah. It it doesn't solve the issue at the end of the day.
>> Yeah.
>> As for me >> like I was not looking at the at the point of >> that there's ongoing that there is an ongoing in insecurity in the upper region.
>> Okay. because I've seen that ongoing conflict as jungle thing >> and when we talk of jungles the whole of Jangu including the no and the dinka >> twitch east and the dukane people all those line that's where like the fighting itself has been happening and the places that have been mentioned most of the time to have been captured are part of jungle if you go to pjut you are walak and then you go all the way to those are Jungle places. So if somebody was to be replaced because of insecurity, >> they would have settled on Rioke.
>> Okay. But the governor of recently state.
>> Okay. But then if you remember recently there was that massive killing of civilians in Abmnum.
>> Mhm. And the alleged perpetrators are said to have come from up state.
>> No, from Unity state.
>> From Unity state, >> which is another different state itself.
They recently got a governor >> from May County.
>> Okay. Was it from I thought I read somewhere like from up state. Anyway, don't quote me on this. So like regardless that area is also still not very stable.
>> Mhm.
>> Yeah. So I guess that's part of the reasons why they ended up on settling on removing him.
>> But you can also say there's lobbying >> because we've seen people like on the internet literally lobbying individuals out and unpan state is one of the states that has a lot of culprits.
>> Today people that are loyal to dollar will start lobbying. tomorrow people that are loyal to >> James Kong >> Mhm.
>> will take up their pens and social media platforms and start spreading different things about one another. So like this is not a one person thing. Personally I have no bone >> of contention >> in that state. I'm not a member of that state and none of the two individuals is someone that I would consider as a good leader >> because both of them have served in that capacity and we've not seen any changes.
So I guess if I were to propose someone then we would look for someone totally different from whoever we keep on seeing being recycled.
>> Mhm.
>> Yeah.
>> Yes. So as for me I would say there will be a lot of reason as to that. Okay.
>> One of them maybe now like when you mentioned about the fight that happened in administrative yeah which is in Rang >> and then UN state >> those two places immediately had their replacement of their of their top leaders the administrator >> and the governor of uni state.
>> Mhm. So maybe uh the governor of Unity state does not have a good relationship with Jacob Dollar >> and those places are all around that area.
>> So maybe they were looking for somebody that will work with Mil >> with Kong now Kong and then this other person so that they are all on the same page. That will be the first guest.
>> Okay. The second guest will be will be you remember like when James Kong was removed from his governorship position and moved to the to Juba >> as a as a deputy minister of defense.
>> Defense. Yeah.
>> Uh something happened recently. Uh there was a there was a a photo >> or something that was posted by >> Garon or Ben.
>> Either that or >> D media I think.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Dal W. And that was also on Gregory. Yeah.
>> Gregory or Gregory Vasili Facebook page >> that him Paul Nang >> and >> was it I can't remember. I heard that.
Yeah, >> something >> Napoleon whatever was the one that came to help them resolve some of the outstanding issue that they had.
>> Mhm.
>> So now if these people have sat down and have work out the issue that were outstanding >> maybe they plan of I don't know maybe to they were lobbying for a position for somewhere that's good with them. So they say instead of just removing culturual just like that is better we bring somebody >> that is better like if we let him have another position somewhere so that he doesn't feel like he was chased away from his position for no reason. So that's just like a long guest that might not make sense to a lot of people but there will be my another guest and then finally lobies do the work >> because every 2 minute people want to want to lobby you out >> and based on the trend that we have seen in the upper Nile we have seen that people serve for 6 to 7 month >> so end of his term had actually come to an end it's just that like we were hopeful that he will go more than 6 months but >> based on the train and everything >> his expiry date came or his end of his term had actually arrived so it was his time to >> to move and let somebody try but my only problem will be >> why take back James Kong again >> and he had he had been there already like if he was at that uniting factor and such kind of things nothing would have happened by then Yeah, it at this point man, it doesn't make sense. These people should just rethink how they do some things. Yeah. So that was it. They re what what do you call it when people make peace? They said it was general business tycoon called Joseph Mar and these three individuals were reconciled with General Gregory Denquatch who Gregory Vasile >> President K's brother-in-law and that they have finally set aside their differences and that dialogue was facilitated by General Napoleon Adok like, oh, this is the guy that was at the National Communications Authority, right?
>> Yeah.
>> And then I think he was moved to the National Security currently.
>> Mhm.
>> As the DG.
>> Yeah. With your conflict is is something normal that in society conflict will always be there.
>> But it was not good for people that are in such high command, especially in security >> to be having the small small issues here. Not small small issues like a very big public conflict.
>> Yes. Because like uh after Den which is Gregory was actually >> appointed back as the under secretary at the ministry of defense >> Mhm.
>> he actually posted a long post >> talking to people saying that there are people with empty threats and say kind of things. So I was like no this one if I'm under it's just that the way it is South Sudan but if you are at they're under secretary at the ministry of defense >> that's something >> kind of words you you don't come and post them on Facebook and >> and then there were people that yeah general yeah kind of thing I'm like this guy is not in the right mind state to hold that position >> because he's still having So much bitterness and then you don't carry some things in your heart as a civil servant if or you are unable to perform your duties >> impartially >> just quit or don't even take any public office if you are that you have a small heart >> that you can easily get agitated.
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah. Like sometimes I don't know these people need some sort of training like we've said every now and then because public servants there are things they should not say or do in public >> because you are not just your own individual person instead you are now representing the state that you work for >> yeah if you have your own personal differences follow the right channels it's not about you know like when we were growing up if you have a beef with someone you say let's meet at the end of the day >> in school and then you go fight outside that's not how a civil servant should be addressing their own personal issues >> yeah either it's professional or work related issues use the right channels but Sudan for you >> yeah that was for that and then if we go back a little bit >> uh uh when Jacob Dollar was actually appointed last year as the governor, >> he was interviewed and I think this young man was asking him >> why he was appointed as the governor or why yeah why he think he was the right replacement for James Kongual >> being a young person he just came from a position of a speaker from the state >> direct to the governor how did he earn that and kind of things.
>> Mhm.
>> And I think they were talking of the who is politically ahead of one another >> I think in terms of him and James Kong and there's a way that he answer. So can we please listen to Jacob Dollar.
>> Okay.
>> And then I'll ask you a questions.
>> Okay.
>> General he's not a politician. He came from military background. So as a politician that I have been that has become my career. I've been in politics. So it's not you cannot force people by like the way you command actually a soldier.
You are dealing with intellectual. You are dealing with the people who are well informed politically, educationally.
They need a peaceful approach, not a military approach, not a command.
Ask them how the opinion what do they want? How did you make it? This is one of the competitive job in our country.
How did you play your card so that you become the governor of just short time after you have been removed from the speakerhip?
>> Politically is the game of throne.
Game of Thron what I mean in the game of thr the trust from the leadership the top leadership because I'm not elected government I'm appointed governor okay the government the top leadership have seen that Jacob he's a comrade Jacob is a young man he has energy Jacob he has to be given a test the way that he was tested by the inspector.
So if we also given that this test will do something and that trust is the one that led me to be a governor.
>> Well I want this confidence the way he's answering this question Jack of educated Jack of confidence.
>> Yeah. So that was Jack of Dollar like how he answered that question. So my question will be do you agree with Jack of Dollar that he's politically smart than James Kongual who is good at the military areas?
>> Um I don't think so >> because I think he was saying that James Kongual is good at military.
>> Yeah.
>> But this is not military. This is politics my friend >> and he's good at that.
>> No he's even not good at politics.
>> Mhm. But I agree with him that James would do very well in the military capacity within the defense maybe and all those areas if he has if he has other leadership qualities.
Yeah. So I would agree with him that uh James Kong can do well in the military because that's where most of his experience lies. Right.
>> Yeah. But then with him saying that he's politically smart and all that, no. I've seen a lot of his interviews and the way he answers things, it comes out with a lot of arrogance. I know that's what we are used to as South Sudan, but he's not polit politically correct or politically intelligent or smart as he tries to portray himself. It's just that he's very confident and it kind of has played out well for him. Mhm.
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah. So for me this was his one time appointment. The other one for the speaker I don't know he was nominated or was appointed.
>> So him getting lucky to be appointed as a as a governor of whatever up state. He doesn't have to boast about it that now he's good at politics and there something he's actually good at. like he have to be appointed several time for us to come to a conclusion that no this guy whenever he's is moving make some maneuvers here that always bring him back >> and that has make him a politically genius >> but if it is just one time appointment yes you are a young person you're going to be a governor >> for the state but >> like over over a long period of time you have not shown that >> being a career politician >> yes so like I think you would have just waited a little bit and say yeah he's just starting and he's going into it right now.
>> Hopefully get better with time into the politics and maybe maintain it for long >> now that he has for only 7 months if he doesn't get another assignment then all these word that he was saying like where will they come from >> that would be the end of his political career.
>> Yeah I feel like >> yeah the other thing that I wanted to say that it was right saying that James Kongual is good with military this is what he has grown through. Yeah.
>> Yeah. In their line of >> duties.
>> Stay where you know more.
>> Mhm.
>> Let other people try the politics because politics is not about orders and Yes. And military ranks like there are some things how to live with people with different opinions in society.
>> Mhm.
>> So yeah.
>> Yeah. And also like that thing that you just said living with people in the society is not something that they enjoy or something that they are trained on.
It's not something that they are trained on while in military. So that's why you find that a lot of these military leaders are very rough cuz all they know since all they know is all about talat or >> yeah society does not live by orders.
Some things are best dealt with in a soft way. And also talking of James Kong, I feel like he was kind of just jumpstarting himself and these key appointments are not something that you can boost about.
>> Yes.
>> Because you can easily be fired even in a span of two days.
>> Mhm.
>> Yeah. And we know President K doesn't appoint the smartest people in the room.
He will just appoint anyone.
>> Yeah.
>> So it's not something that you can easily bet on saying ah I'm very smart or like I'm more qualified that's why I was appointed. We've seen people that are not qualified holding very big positions.
>> It's all about who you know and connections.
>> Mhm.
>> Yeah. It's not what you know and what you have done.
Otherwise, you would not have people that don't have any work records of performing their task properly, holding positions.
>> Mhm.
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah. So, that's what happened. But then like 3 days ago, that was on May 1st, >> uh the acting chairman of the SPLMIO, Mr. Oed Nathaniel, >> appointed a parallel governor to the UN state. And the person that is appointed >> is called Corium Ding Ling.
>> He said going forward this is going to be the governor of UN state.
>> Mhm.
>> Uni state like few weeks ago had a new governor appointed >> Mr. Joseph Mun >> and even went received.
>> Mhm.
>> This guy Mun and the other governor that was replaced.
They have all been from the SPLM >> and this position is said to have been held by Joseph.
>> Mhm.
>> I think from 2013 until around 2023 when they was removed, right?
>> Or around 2020 and then got removed and then came back again.
>> Something along those lines.
>> Yeah. He has held it before.
>> Mhm. So now looking at the history of the UT state, it has always belonged to >> uh >> SPLM >> SPLM >> governors >> and then also >> looking at the governorship position.
>> Mhm.
>> Governorship position have always been has always been announced and made by Salvakir.
>> Yeah.
Now that Oette has stepped up his game and he's even going to the uh to the >> appointing position >> to the position of appointing governors >> in different places and he say like this guy the new governor that he appointed Coramdling >> is going to be based in Leair County in Rockyam.
>> That's where comes from.
>> Oh okay.
>> Is from Leair. Mhm.
>> But the capital of unity is Bentil.
>> I think this is where Joseph and Miel would be based. So the question is do you think it is appropriate for OE Nathaniel to be appointing a parallel governor?
Yeah. A parallel governor for Unity state. I don't think it's appropriate for him to appoint a parallel governor because even when Ri Machar was holding that position as the chairman of the SPLMIO, >> I've never seen him appointing anyone and I stand corrected. If you've ever seen him appointing, okay, go ahead. But what I've seen him do is nominate people and then it's President K that appoints almost all those top government positions. Mhm.
>> And this is why we are always saying the best way forward is to have elections and then we get rid of all these powers that the president has so that we'll not have appointments left, right, center.
>> Yeah. What do you think?
>> Uh as for me it was not good for yet to appoint a parallel governor.
>> Mhm.
>> Because it divide people into two.
>> Yeah. As much as it seem like people are already divided, the people state might not have this issue that we have in the country for this community and that community.
>> Mhm.
>> To them maybe they are all okay with their governor. Either the governor seem to be siding with the other party or residing with this party. Some people don't really care is one of them is their blood. So setting up a different governor is going to create that indifference again between the those small community that are already residing in in in UT state.
>> Yeah.
>> And then also like you have mentioned even when Yagmachar was still in his position >> Mhm. He did not say one day, okay, because of all these articles and whatever that are being cited by Oette >> that he's going to appoint now the governor of or he ever appointed a governor of of UN state >> or even a minister.
>> Yes, he was there. Why didn't he do it before?
>> So why is he the one that is doing it now? So maybe like as much as it doesn't seem like as much as might not not be the idea of himself waking up one day and saying okay let's do this there might have been some proposal >> that were made to him and justify as to why it makes sense for him to do that >> and that's why he went ahead and put his signature then yeah >> I think he would have just looked through it and then see okay is this one actually good or >> bad >> yes >> yeah and also you think of the repercussion to the people on the ground >> because as much as you feel like you don't like the government, >> not a lot of people like the government at the moment, >> majority of people are fed up with the current regime.
>> Mhm.
>> But maybe within the state where you are going to choose that parallel government.
>> Mhm.
>> There's obviously people that are in support of the current governor.
>> So what do you think it's going to do to the people in that state? It's obviously causing division >> and then no one is going to give up or surrender without putting up a fight.
>> Not literally a fight but without defending their position.
>> Mhm.
>> So like how do two governors operate?
>> Yeah. And I actually saw some people commenting telling him >> or yet don't bring your don't bring the jungle fight into the uni state fight into the uni state >> that the fight that's happening right now is only happening in jungle state.
>> Okay.
>> So uni state has not been fighting. So why try to bring it there?
>> So it's now a jungle fight.
>> Yes. It's happening in Junglay. So it's a jungle fight.
I thought it was the IO versus SPDF.
>> Well, as much as the fight is happening in in Jungle and is being done by the SPLM SSPDF, >> it was not all over. Now that there's something happening in UT state, other one in upper other one all over. No, it was like yes, it is SPLM but it's only happening >> in part of state.
>> Yeah. So, let's stick there.
>> Okay. which is also okay because we don't want like this issues of forcing people out of their homes to move to a different state again. It's not good >> to move to all states not to a different state. Oh, okay. Now to continue staying in your also tired of it >> cuz if you look at the people of Aobo like they have really suffered.
>> One minute you have this commissioner the next minute it's so and this commissioner comes up and then >> just a lot of roller coaster >> and it's not like either the SPLMI or the SSPDF or the government in general is going to do anything to solve your issues. or to resettle them. Once the there's some peace and stability in the area, you are left to be on your own.
>> Which is why war is bad.
>> Mhm.
>> Yeah.
>> All right. So that's it for Jimosi.
Please consider subscribing, share, like, and leave a comment. Let us know as to why >> James Kong was reappointed as the governor of Aanal state or why dollar watch was fired. Is it because of this insecurity in the in that part of the country >> or he's not politically smart >> or things are not just good on his end >> and and Yeah. And what do people think of a parallel governor to the UN state? Is it something good that was done by Oette >> or it's not good?
>> Mhm.
>> Yeah.
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