President Kiir Appoints Caretaker Government Officials Ahead of Elections

September 22, 2026 13

President Salva Kiir Mayardit (Courtesy)

Sptember 22, 2026

JUBA, South Sudan

President Salva Kiir Mayardit has appointed a caretaker government following the dissolution of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU), assigning senior officials to oversee national and state affairs ahead of the forthcoming general elections. The appointments include a presidential adviser, caretaker ministers, state governors, deputy ministers, chief administrators, undersecretaries and heads of key public institutions. The caretaker administration will manage government operations during the transition to the election period.

Presidential Adviser and Ministers

President Kiir appointed James Ngere Paciko as Presidential Adviser on Governance.

Among the newly appointed caretaker ministers are:

Africano Mande Gadime — Minister of Presidential Affairs
Martin Elia Lumoro — Minister of Cabinet Affairs
Ambassador Cecilia Adut Manyok — Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
Ayor Akuoch Anok — Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs
Rizik Zachariah Hassan — Minister of Interior
Dr. Wek Mamer Kuol — Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs
Obote Mamur Mete — Minister of National Security
Athian Diing Athian — Minister of Finance and Planning
Awow Daniel Chuang — Minister of Petroleum
Dr. Labanya Margret — Minister of Trade and Industry
Ateny Wek Ateny — Minister of Information, Communication, Technology and Postal Services
Michael Makuei Lueth — Minister of East African Community Affairs
Stephen Par Kuol — Minister of Peace Building

The appointments place key security, financial, legal, diplomatic and communication portfolios under the caretaker arrangement as South Sudan prepares for the election process.

State Governors Appointed

The President also named caretaker governors for the country’s ten states:

Central Equatoria State – Augustino Jadalla Wani

Eastern Equatoria State – Louis Lobong Lojore

Jonglei State – Moses Majok Gatluak

Lakes State – Rin Tueny Mabor Deng

Northern Bahr el Ghazal State – Charles Madut Akol

Unity State – Dr. Joseph Monytuil Wejang

Upper Nile State – James Koang Chuol

Warrap State – Bol Wek Agoth

Western Bahr el Ghazal State – Sherif Daniel Sherif

Western Equatoria State – Daniel Badagbu Rimbasa

The caretaker governors will be responsible for maintaining public administration, security coordination and delivery of essential state services during the pre-election period.

Deputy Ministers and Administrators

Three deputy ministers were appointed to support the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Interior:

Philip Jada Natana — Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
Marial Chanuong Yol — Deputy Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs
David Marial Gumke — Deputy Minister of Interior

President Kiir also appointed chief administrators for the country’s three administrative areas:

Justice Charles Abyei Jok — Chief Administrator of the Abyei Special Administrative Area
Joseph Baboya Ngere — Chief Administrator of the Greater Pibor Administrative Area
Daniel Makuei Thiyier — Chief Administrator of the Ruweng Administrative Area

Meanwhile, Moris Aduol Dut was appointed Undersecretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security; James Alam Ware was named Undersecretary in the Ministry of Roads and Bridges; and Deborah Akech Kuocnin was appointed Undersecretary in the Ministry of Labour. Dr. Malinda Nai Justin was named National Expert in the Ministry of Labour.

Changes in Public Institutions

In separate presidential decrees, President Kiir relieved several senior officials from their positions and appointed replacements in strategic public institutions.

Rizig Dominic Samuel was removed as Director General of the National Communication Authority and replaced by Engineer Gieth Kon Mathiang. Dr. Ayiei Garang Deng was relieved as Director General of the South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority, with Mosety Kat Monyngok appointed as his replacement.

Ambassador Moun Deng Ajuet was also relieved as Commissioner General of the South Sudan Revenue Authority. He has been replaced by Rizig Dominic Samuel.

The caretaker appointments follow the end of the RTGoNU, which had been established under the 2018 revitalized peace agreement. The new administration is expected to oversee government functions and support the country’s transition toward the forthcoming elections.

Written by: Editorial

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