Environment Ministry Clarifies: Undersecretary Joseph Bartel suspended, not dismissed

2026-03-03 - 13:48

JUBA, South Sudan (Eye Radio) – The Ministry of Environment and Forestry has clarified that Undersecretary Joseph Africano Bartel remains a staff member of the ministry, noting that his recent removal from office is a suspension rather than a dismissal. In a public notice issued Tuesday, the Ministry explained that the Undersecretary was suspended for administrative reasons pending an internal review. The statement emphasized that the Minister does not have the constitutional authority to dismiss a public servant of that rank; only the President holds the mandate to appoint or terminate an Undersecretary. The Ministry cited Article 114 (1) and (2) (b) and (c) of the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan 2011 as the legal basis for the move. To ensure the continuity of government operations, David Batali Oliver, the Director General for Environmental Planning, has assumed the functions of the Undersecretary in an acting capacity. The Ministry confirmed that no permanent replacement has been appointed. Following the suspension, the Minister issued Ministerial Order No. 005/2026, establishing a Ministerial Review Committee to conduct a comprehensive audit of the Ministry’s projects and management. The committee is chaired by Lutana Musa Laso, the Director General for Climate Change. The Ministry stressed that the suspension does not imply guilt. “No determination of wrongdoing has been made, and the presumption of innocence fully applies,” the statement read. Once the Review Committee concludes its investigation, it will submit its findings and recommendations to the Minister for further action.