Eastern Equatoria State has begun naming caretaker local government leaders as the state prepares for South Sudan’s planned December 2026 general elections.
The appointments come after the dissolution of the transitional state governments and the appointment of Louis Lobong Lojore as caretaker governor of Eastern Equatoria.
Lobong has said the caretaker administration’s priority is to maintain peace and create a conducive environment for political parties and candidates ahead of the elections.
The reported caretaker appointments include David Nayee Lomor as Caretaker Commissioner of Kapoeta North County and Isaac Lomuria as Caretaker Commissioner of Kapoeta East County.
Lopoyok Augustine Jervase has also been named Caretaker Chief Administrator of Ngauro Administrative Area, while Eddy William Ponsiano has been appointed Caretaker Commissioner of Torit County.
Other reported appointments include Abraham Lotede as Caretaker Mayor of Kapoeta Municipality and Lam Francis Gabriel as Caretaker Commissioner of Magwi County.
The move follows a directive from Governor Lobong for caretaker county commissioners to be nominated and approved as preparations for the elections continue.
Speaking in Torit earlier this week, Lobong said caretaker commissioners would have a responsibility to promote peaceful coexistence and help create an environment for peaceful, fair and credible elections.
He also acknowledged that some caretaker appointments would take longer because candidates needed to be carefully scrutinised.
“Time is against us. There is a need to appoint county caretakers,” Lobong said, while calling for scrutiny of those selected for the positions.
The appointment of local caretakers follows President Salva Kiir’s establishment of caretaker administrations across South Sudan after dissolving the transitional government on September 22.
County commissioners were relieved of their political and policy duties under the new arrangement pending the appointment of interim commissioners.
Information on caretaker commissioners for other counties, municipal mayors and chief administrators of other administrative areas in Eastern Equatoria remains pending or has not yet been publicly confirmed.
The caretaker local administrations are expected to oversee essential services and local administration during the electoral period, with national elections scheduled for December 22, 2026.
