South Sudan President Salva Kiir has reshuffled key positions in Western Equatoria State, relieving eight opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) members from the state legislative assembly and appointing their replacements.

The presidential decrees, signed on March 9, 2026, and announced publicly on March 16, 2026, also extend to several ministerial roles, independent commission heads, and county commissioners affiliated with the SPLM-IO.

The relieved MPs from the Western Equatoria State Legislative Assembly are Alice Kiden, Egidia Sarawa, Costa Joseph Aburida, Cross Bazia, Sarah Amjuma Keliopa, Charles Samuel Miwamote, Jenty Masu, and Luka Johnathan Lanedi.

Replacing them are Simon Sabah Abraham, Michael Zanaro Aborobisendeyo, Justin Evaristo Dazuborani, Nusuyoum Philip Ukafa, Grace Nasra Levi, Mary John Osman, Emmanuel Bande Philip, and Christo Wiropai.

The changes further include the removal of state officials such as Legal Advisor Azera Mina, Finance Minister Morris Bazia, Labour Minister Isaac Mursal, and Information Minister Elia Usini Dominic.

New appointments in these areas feature Costa F. Akile Fulanguru as Advisor for Legal Affairs, Bakiki Simple John Francis as Minister of Finance, Planning and Investment, and Mohamed Juma Bistin as Minister of Information and Communication.

Adjustments also hit independent commissions, with new leaders named for bodies dealing with anti-corruption, HIV/AIDS, human rights, employees’ justice, conflict resolution, and relief and rehabilitation.

At the county level, commissioners in Nagero, Mvolo, and Nzara were replaced.

No explicit reasons were given for the individual changes, which officials describe as part of broader political and administrative adjustments in the state.

The moves occur amid ongoing flux in South Sudan’s transitional power-sharing arrangements under the Revitalized Peace Agreement, where positions are allocated among parties including the SPLM-IO.

Similar reshuffles have affected opposition appointees in other states and at the national level in recent months, ahead of planned elections later in 2026.