President Salva Kiir Mayardit has appointed a caretaker administration following the dissolution of South Sudan’s transitional government, as the country enters the final three months before general elections scheduled for 22 December 2026.
The new arrangements include acting national ministers, state governors, deputy ministers and chief administrators for the country’s three administrative areas.
James Ngere Paciko has been appointed Presidential Adviser on Governance, while Africano Mande Gadime will serve as Acting Minister of Presidential Affairs.
Martin Elia Lomuro has been named Acting Minister of Cabinet Affairs, with Ambassador Cecilia Adut Manyok taking charge of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Other acting ministers include Ayor Akuoch Anok for Defence and Veterans Affairs, Rizik Zachariah Hassan for Interior, Dr Wek Mamer Kuol for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, and Obote Mamur Mete for National Security.
Athian Diing Athian has been appointed Acting Minister of Finance and Planning, while Awow Daniel Chuang will oversee Petroleum.
Dr Labanya Margret will head Trade and Industry, Ateny Wek Ateny will continue as Information, Communication, Technology and Postal Services minister, and Michael Makuei Lueth will oversee East African Community Affairs.
Stephen Par Kuol has been appointed Acting Minister of Peacebuilding.
The caretaker administration also includes changes at state level, with Augustino Jadalla Wani appointed caretaker governor of Central Equatoria, Louis Lobong Lojore in Eastern Equatoria, Moses Majok Gatluak in Jonglei and Rin Tueny Mabor Deng in Lakes.
Charles Madut Akol will serve in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Dr Joseph Monytuil Wejang in Unity, James Koang Chuol in Upper Nile, Bol Wek Agoth in Warrap, Sherif Daniel Sherif in Western Bahr el Ghazal and Daniel Badagbu Rimbasa in Western Equatoria.
Three deputy ministerial appointments have also been announced, with Philip Jada Natana assigned to Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Marial Chanuong Yol to Defence and Veterans Affairs, and David Marial Gumke to Interior.
The three administrative areas have also received chief administrators: Justice Charles Abyei Jok for Abyei Special Administrative Area, Joseph Baboya Ngere for Greater Pibor Administrative Area and Daniel Makuei Thiyier for Ruweng Administrative Area.
The appointments follow President Kiir’s dissolution of the transitional government on 22 September, three months before the scheduled election date. Government officials have described the move as part of the transition into the election period.
The changes come a day after Kiir signed amendments to the National Elections Act into law. The amended legislation provides for the incumbent executive leadership to remain in office with constitutional powers during the election period until an elected president assumes office.
The new caretaker arrangement is expected to oversee government operations as South Sudan prepares for the 22 December vote.
The elections have been repeatedly postponed since independence, making the implementation of the new electoral framework a closely watched issue
