South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir on Tuesday morning appointed Joseph Ngere Paciko as the new Speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly, elevating a seasoned SPLM politician whose career spans four decades of rebellion, governance, and legislative service.

Ngere, 66, is a native of Bangolo Payam in Mundri West County, Western Equatoria State. Born on January 1, 1960, he is married with children.

Education and Early Career
Ngere attended primary school in Ladingwa and Bangolo (1971–1974), Mundri II Primary School (1975), Itri and Embe Primary Schools in Maridi (1975–1976), and Maridi II Junior Secondary School (1976–1979). He completed his secondary education at Rumbek Secondary School from 1980 to 1983.

He joined the University of Juba’s College of Education Science, studying biology and chemistry during the 1984–1988 academic years. In 1998, the SPLM/A leadership sent him to Mekelle University in Tigray, then part of the People’s Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Management in 2002. He also worked as a consultant in 1998.

Political Life
Ngere has been a member of the SPLM/A since joining the armed struggle during the Second Sudanese Civil War in 1988.

He became a member of the National Liberation Council (NLA) in 2008 and has served as a Member of Parliament in the National Legislative Assembly on the SPLM party list since 2010. From 2010 to 2026, he was a member of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security and Public Order.

Throughout the 21-year liberation war, the post-Comprehensive Peace Agreement period, and after independence, Ngere attended multiple party leadership training sessions organized by the SPLM, both inside and outside the country.

Governance Roles
Ngere is regarded as one of the longest-serving deputy governors in Western Equatoria State, serving under three governors: Gen. Patrick Zamoi (2005–2007), Samuel Abujohn Kabashi (2007–2008), and Jemma Nunu Kumba (2008–2010).

His performance earned him the confidence of President Salva Kiir. During the 32 states era, he was appointed Governor and Interim Chairperson of the SPLM in the now-defunct Amadi State, serving from 2015 to 2020.

Some of his colleagues who spoke to Radio Tamazuj describe Ngere as calm, self-motivated, and possessing strong managerial skills.

Ngere takes over the speakership at a critical time as South Sudan prepares for general elections in December, with the transitional parliament expected to play a key role in legislation and oversight.