In appointing Mabior Garang as Sudan’s minister of water affairs in 2016, Africans made the teenage leader an interesting point.
The young man was on the Internet for a while for a number of reasons. Some for good, some for bad. Bottom line is that his personality was totally different from the usual types serving in government.
Mabior Garang, who has a radical political view, may not be the best fit for the position if electoral procedures are conducted. However, through President Salva Kiir’s conditional appointment, he serves as Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation in Sudan.
1. One of the youngest African ministers
Mabior Garang de Mabior was appointed Minister of Water and Irrigation in April 2016. This was in line with the peace deal between the warring factions in South Sudan that led to the formation of the Transitional Government for National Unity (TGoNU). The peace government is to administer the country for the next two and a half years until the elections.
As of now, Garang is one of the youngest ministers the continent has ever seen.
2. Trendy fashionista
Call him the selfie king. Even as water minister in Sudan, Garang couldn’t keep his loot or his phone. He’s also spared his social media accounts for his latest looks and ministerial-level upgrades.
Last year, the minister took part on Facebook, telling his experience during a cabinet meeting. According to him, he wore a red bow tie, which was considered unsuitable for the official gathering, and for this reason Dr. Advised Riek Machar Teny-dhuorgon to go home and wear a different tie. However, the media reported that he was thrown out of the congregation because of his “improper” attire.
3. From a prominent family
Mabior Garang De Mabior is the son of former Sudanese leader John Garang and Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior. His father is known as a great hero, freedom fighter, liberator and founder of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A).
Until his death in a helicopter crash in 2005, John was considered the most influential leader in South Sudan’s history. He was the country’s first vice president from July 9, 2005 to July 30, 2005.
The Garang family has close political and friendly ties with Raila Odinga, the former Prime Minister of Kenya who recently ran for the presidency in Kenya.
Raila’s father is believed to have rescued John Garang executed for illegal immigration to Kenya in the 1960’s Garang and a friend had crossed the border from Ethiopia and were trapped in Moyale. Raila’s father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, came to their rescue and saved their lives.
Since then, the two prominent families have had a close relationship with the country to the point that Sudan’s Minister of Water, Mabior, considers Kenya his second home. His mother Rebecca once fled to Nairobi for fear of being attacked in Juba.
In January 2015, Mabior Garang attended the funeral of Raila’s son Fidel Odinga in Kenya.
4. Former rebel leader
Before his appointment, Mabior Garang was the spokesman for the Machar-led rebels.
dr Riek Machar is considered to be Mabior Garang’s former arch-rival. dr Riek Machar, leader of the armed opposition and former Vice President of South Sudan.
5. Credibility on the road
Mabior Garang, who has been described as a conditional politician, is a controversial figure. His mother is believed to be the driving force behind his surprising political enterprise.
His age made him an interesting point when he was appointed minister. Even more was his rough and carefree lifestyle.
In February, Mabior Garang De Mabior was reportedly in critical condition in Dr. Mvungis Hospital in Kinondoni, Dar es Salaam. He passed out in his hotel room in Kinondoni from a drug overdose. The one-time rebel has been bluntly labeled as a drug addict who drinks heavily from his people.
In August 2014 he was caught in Addis Ababa trying to assassinate the president. A six-bullet 9mm pistol was found on him.