Tensions in Akobo County, Jonglei State, South Sudan, eased significantly on Thursday, January 22, 2026, following the swearing-in of a new county commissioner appointed by the opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO).

The political standoff began on January 16 when SPLM-IO Acting Chairman Oyet Nathaniel dismissed the incumbent commissioner, James Kueth Makuach who had been serving on the SPLA-IO ticket, and appointed John Wiyual Lul as his replacement.

Kueth initially resisted stepping down, sparking local tensions and divisions within the community. Some community chiefs and supporters rejected the new appointment, describing it as unilateral, while others welcomed the change.

After several days of negotiations among community leaders and local officials, Kueth and his supporters agreed on January 21 to allow the transition peacefully, with Kueth reportedly leaving the office for the sake of peace.

Lul was officially sworn in on January 22 at the county headquarters in Akobo, where he addressed a gathered crowd of officials and residents.

In his inaugural speech, he emphasized unity and reconciliation, stating he would work with everyone regardless of past opposition to his appointment and would not pursue any political vendettas.

He further called on the Akobo community to foster peaceful relations with neighboring regions, including Ethiopia, Upper Nile State, the rest of Jonglei State, and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area.

Lul reassured humanitarian organizations—specifically naming the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)—that their staff and operations would be fully protected, with humanitarian access remaining a top priority amid ongoing challenges in the area.

The resolution comes against a backdrop of escalating insecurity across Jonglei State, where clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and SPLA-IO forces, including airstrikes and mobilizations, have displaced thousands and worsened the humanitarian crisis in recent weeks.

Akobo remains a key SPLM-IO stronghold, and the peaceful handover is seen as a positive step toward local stability amid broader national tensions.