Former South Sudanese Minister of Foreign Affairs apologised to Dr Luka Biong

This week, South Sudanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Marial Benjamin Bil was quoted as having described Dinka Ngok of Abyei as foreigners. He also referred to Dr Luka Biong Deng, who is a native of Abyei and a former Minister, as a Sudanese citizen but not as a citizen of South Sudan.

The University of Juba is an independent academic institution which employs both nationals and non-nationals like Dr. Luka Biong Deng who is a citizen of the Republic of Sudan. The termination of service is based on the terms of contract. Luka Biong Deng and Abyei People are Sudanese. This statement caused anger across the political spectrum in which Dr Marial was condemned by many people and his subsequent sacking. The presidential decree did not refer to the sacking. Shortly after that, Dr Marial called and personally apologised to Dr Luka Biong.

During an interview with SBS Dinka Radio, Dr Biong said how he valued Dr Marial's apology. Dr Marial blamed the misstep on those who composed the press release. Here is the interview