Ambiguity as S.Sudan’s Ambassador to Russia Resigns

South Sudan’s Ambassador to Russia, H.E Telar Ring Deng has resigned his position for reasons that are yet to be understood. His resignation came the same day the government of South Sudan wrote to him recalling him from his posting in Moscow back to Juba “for urgent consultations”.

Ambassador Telar Ring Deng wrote his resignation letter on Thursday January 25 in the letter addressed to South Sudanese President, Salva Kiir.

In addition to Russia, Deng was also representing South Sudan in Baku, Azerbaijan, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Tbilisi and Georgia.

“I Telar Ring Deng submit my resignation as Head of Mission to the Russian Federation in Moscow and a non resident Ambassador in Baku, Azerbaijan, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Tbilisi and Georgia,” Deng wrote in his letter.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you sincerely, your Excellency for the confidence you have entrusted in me to represent our country in the countries I have listed above,” he added.

However, in the letter, Deng did not offer an explanation as to why he was quoting his job.

On the same day, South Sudan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Deng Alor Kuol at the instruction of the President wrote to Telar Ring Deng urgently recalling him from Moscow.

“As directed by the Office of the President, I am writing to recall you back to headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Juba for urgent consultations,” the Minister said.

Telar Deng was ordered to return to Juba within 72 hours.

It however remains unclear which of the two (Telar Deng’s resignation and letter recalling him) came preceded the other.

But in an interview with Voice of America (VOA), Telar Deng said he resigned before receiving the letter.

“To be recalled to go to the headquarters [Juba] for consultations is not a sufficient reason for one to resign. In actual fact, I have been speculating to resign for a long time. So the two are not interelated,” he is quoted by VOA as having said.

He only revealed that his decision is informed by his desire to work toward peace in South Sudan as a private citizen.

“I will not turn my back to my country, I will utilize talents in other areas as a private citizen. I will work towards peace for our people. Our people have suffered for the last four years”.

Deng was posted to Russia as Ambassador in 2014 after the South Sudan National Legislative Assembly rejected his first appointment, as minister for justice.

Last year, South Sudan recalled seven of its diplomats from their postings, a move some said was a result of the country’s economic crisis resulting from the long period of civil conflict. Government in Juba however denied this.

It is said that government has not paid salaries to many of the Ambassadors around the world for as long as one year.

“We have not been paid for 10 months,”Telar Deng confirmed to VOA, but insisted this was not why he resigned.

He refuted speculation that he was set to join factions fighting President Kiir’s government.