The President of the Republic of South Sudan, Salva Kiir, has issued a series of presidential decrees relieving and appointing several officials in the government of Central Equatoria State, in a sweeping leadership reshuffle affecting state ministers, advisors, commissioners and heads of independent commissions.
The decrees, which take immediate effect, restructure key positions within the Revitalized Transitional Government of Central Equatoria State.
The changes include the dismissal of a number of state ministers, advisors and county commissioners, while new officials have been appointed to replace them.
Among those relieved from their positions are Valentino Kenyi, Advisor on Human Rights, and John Yona, Advisor on Economic Affairs.
Several state ministers were also removed, including Lupai Satimon Andrew, Minister of Cabinet Affairs; Jacob Aligo Lo-Ladu, Minister of Peace Building; Taban Emmanuel Baya, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs; Salah Rajab Bunduki, Minister for Finance, Planning and Investment; and Nejua Mursal Juma, Minister of Health.
Others affected by the reshuffle include Clement Maring Samuel, former Minister of Roads and Bridges; Peter Lujo Yospeta, Minister of Cooperatives; Rita Dominic, Minister for Culture, Youth and Sports; Zendiya Eluzai Abu, Minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare; David Morobe Aquillino, Minister of Housing, Lands and Public Utilities; Stephen Onesimo Lado, Minister of Trade and Industry; Cirisio Zakaria Ladu, Minister of Education and General Instructions; and Huda Micha Laila, Minister of Public Service and Human Resource Development.
The presidential decrees also relieved the chairpersons of two state independent commissions: Henry Kala Sabuni of the Peace and Reconciliation Commission and Rose Lisok Paulino of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission.
At the county level, commissioners of Morobo, Yei River, and Lainya counties were removed from office as part of the changes.
In the new appointments, Clement Maring Samuel was named Advisor on Human Rights, while Samir Nasir Roman was appointed Advisor on Economic Affairs.
Anna Kaku Samson was appointed Advisor on Political Affairs and Jacob Aligo Lo-Ladu was named Advisor on Education and Literacy.
Several new ministers were also appointed to the state cabinet. Augustino Ladu Martin was named Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Jacob Gore was appointed Minister for Peace Building, while Janet Aya was appointed Minister of Finance, Planning and Investment.
Intisar Jaden Solomon was named Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Joice Bakuwa was appointed Minister of Health.
Other appointments include Latio Ramba Abas as Minister of Roads and Bridges, Emmanuel Khamis as Minister of Cooperatives, Bush Buse as Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Cirisio Zakaria Ladu as Minister of Public Service and Human Resource Development, Viato Wani Swaka as Minister of Housing, Land and Public Utilities, and Mawa A. Moses as Minister of Trade and Industry.
Lupai Satimon Andrew was appointed Minister of Education and General Instructions, while Elizabeth Pita Lugor was named Minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare.
The President also appointed John Modi Mulla as Chairperson of the Peace and Reconciliation Commission and Salah Rajab Bunduki as Chairperson of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission.
At the county level, Joseph Mawa Akuba was appointed Commissioner of Morobo County, Samuel Malimbo Batali as Commissioner of Yei River County, and Huda Micha Laila as Commissioner of Lainya County.
The changes were made pursuant to Article 106A(2)(a) of the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, 2011 (as amended), read together with Section 38(1) of the Interpretation of Laws and General Provisions Act, 2006.
In a statement issued on behalf of the President, the Governor of Central Equatoria State, Emmanuel Adil Anthony expressed appreciation to the outgoing officials for their service.
“His Excellency the President wishes to express his profound gratitude to the outgoing officials for their unwavering commitment and enormous contribution to the state during their tenure, and conveys his best wishes to the newly appointed officials in their respective assignments,” the statement said.
