South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit has issued a series of decrees relieving and appointing numerous officials across the Revitalized Transitional Government of Central Equatoria State, affecting state advisors, ministers, heads of independent commissions, and county commissioners.
The changes, announced over the weekend and reported on March 16, 2026, represent a broad reorganization of the state administration.
No specific reasons for the reshuffle were provided in the decrees or official statements.
President Kiir thanked the outgoing officials for their service and wished the newly appointed leaders success in their roles.
Relieved Officials
- Advisors: Valentino Kenyi (Human Rights), John Yona (Economic Affairs).
- State Ministers (13 positions): Lupai Satimon Andrew (Cabinet Affairs), Jacob Aligo Lo-Ladu (Peacebuilding), Taban Emmanuel Baya (Parliamentary Affairs), Salah Rajab Bunduki (Finance, Planning and Investment), Nejua Mursal Juma (Health), Clement Maring Samuel (Roads and Bridges), Peter Lujo Yospeta (Cooperatives), Rita Dominic (Culture, Youth and Sports), Zendiya Eluzai Abu (Gender, Child and Social Welfare), David Morobe Aquillino (Housing, Lands and Public Utilities), Stephen Onesimo Lado (Trade and Industry), Cirisio Zakaria Ladu (Education), Huda Micha Laila (Public Service and Human Resource Development).
- Independent Commissions: Henry Kala Sabuni (Chairperson, Peace and Reconciliation Commission), Rose Lisok Paulino (head, Relief and Rehabilitation Commission).
- County Commissioners (3): Charles Data Bullen (Morobo County), Emmanuel Taban Seme (Yei River County), Robert John Morris (Lainya County).
Newly Appointed Officials
- Advisors: Clement Maring Samuel (Human Rights), Samir Nasir Roman (Economic Affairs), Anna Kaku Samson (Political Affairs), Jacob Aligo Lo-Ladu (Education and Literacy).
- State Ministers: Augustino Ladu Martin (Cabinet Affairs), Jacob Gore (Peacebuilding), Janet Aya (Finance, Planning and Investment), Intisar Jaden Solomon (Parliamentary Affairs), Joice Bakuwa (Health), Latio Ramba Abas (Roads and Bridges), Emmanuel Khamis (Cooperatives), Bush Buse (Culture, Youth and Sports), Cirisio Zakaria Ladu (Public Service and Human Resource Development), Viato Wani Swaka (Housing, Land and Public Utilities), Mawa A. Moses (Trade and Industry), Lupai Satimon Andrew (Education and General Instructions), Elizabeth Pita Lugor (Gender, Child and Social Welfare).
- Independent Commissions: John Modi Mulla (Chairperson, Peace and Reconciliation Commission), Salah Rajab Bunduki (head, Relief and Rehabilitation Commission).
- County Commissioners: Joseph Mawa Akuba (Morobo County), Samuel Malimbo Batali (Yei River County), Huda Micha Laila (Lainya County).
The reshuffle comes amid ongoing political realignments in South Sudan’s transitional government, following recent dismissals of opposition-linked officials (including a presidential peace advisor and deputy governors) earlier in March 2026.
Central Equatoria State, home to the national capital Juba, remains a key area for governance stability and implementation of the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement.
No immediate reactions from affected officials or opposition groups were reported in connection with the changes.
