Unexpected reshuffle shakes traffic command
On 11 November, Inspector General of Police Gen. Abraham Manyuat reassigned thirteen senior officers, including Maj. Gen. Kon John Akot, in a presidentially approved reshuffle (Radio Tamazuj).
Akot, long-time director of South Sudan’s Traffic Police, was named Police Commissioner for Northern Bahr el Ghazal State and instructed to hand over within 72 hours.
Akot rejects rumours of insubordination
Speaking from Juba, Akot said he never challenged the transfer order and has remained at home since hearing the news online.
“I saw no official letter,” he told reporters. “As a police officer, transfers are routine; the process, not the posting, concerns me.”
Security scare at headquarters
Akot stated that traffic headquarters gates were sealed and guards disarmed on Monday, preventing staff movement.
He said Deputy Interior Minister Gen. Mangar Buong denied knowledge of both the blockade and the transfer, raising questions about internal communication.
Procedure versus perception
Under South Sudanese police regulations, officers expect written directives before relocation. Analysts note that social-media leaks can erode confidence and fuel speculation.
Akot argues that proper channels safeguard discipline, while online hearsay “creates rumours that tarnish our image.”
Reform backdrop and parliamentary friction
The traffic chief has courted headlines since 2023, clashing with lawmakers over vehicle logbook reforms and a proposed one-year driving licence validity.
Those episodes, later resolved by the Interior Ministry, illustrate broader debates on how to balance revenue collection with public convenience.
What happens next
Police spokesperson Gen. James Monday Enoka has not yet commented on the reshuffle. Observers expect clarity once formal letters reach affected officers.
Until then, Akot insists he is “ready to move” and remains focused on ensuring an orderly transition, should the paperwork arrive.