South Sudanese president sacks long-serving chief justice

JUBA, May 29 (Xinhua) -- South Sudanese President Salva Kiir on Wednesday night sacked the country's long-serving Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court Chan Reec Madut, along with his deputy John Gatwech Lul.

The dismissal was broadcast on the state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC). Kiir also appointed Benjamin Bak Deng to replace Madut, and Laku Trankilo Nyumbi as deputy.

The South Sudanese leader did not provide a reason for the dismissals.

Madut was appointed by Kiir in August 2011, shortly after the country's independence in July.

Deng, the new chief justice, is an experienced judge who served in Sudan in different capacities for several years before the independence of South Sudan.

Until his appointment on Wednesday, Deng was the director of training and research as well as a member of the Supreme Court. His new deputy Nyumbi was the director of Judge's Affairs and a member of the Judiciary Service Commission, which oversees the judiciary's activities.

The sacking of Madut came amid the ongoing detention of opposition leader and First Vice President Riek Machar, who has been under house arrest since March 26. Enditem