President Salva Kiir Mayardit has issued a series of Republican Decrees making sweeping changes to the Government of Upper Nile State, replacing ministers, county commissioners, state advisers and members of the state legislature.
The decrees, issued on Tuesday under references RSS/OP/RD-J-206-08/2026 to 209-08/2026, relieved dozens of officials from their positions and appointed new office holders across key institutions in the state administration.
Among those removed were State Advisers for Peace and Security El Thieb Okiech Ajak and Economic Affairs Buay Tor Chuol.
The reshuffle also affected nine state ministers, including those responsible for Local Government, Information, Finance and Planning, General Education, Health, Trade and Commerce, Agriculture, Labour, and Culture, Youth and Sports.
President Kiir also relieved the chairperson of the Upper Nile Human Rights Commission, the deputy chairperson of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, and a member of the HIV/AIDS Commission.
At the county level, commissioners for Nasir, Renk, Melut, Maiwut, Longuchuk and Maban counties were all replaced as part of the restructuring.
The President further revoked the appointment of the designated Speaker of the Upper Nile State Legislative Assembly, Vanasio Guang Kur, along with six members of parliament.
To fill the vacancies, Kiir appointed Joseph Aban Odong as State Adviser for Peace and Security and Dok Guot Ngor as Adviser for Economic Affairs.
The new state cabinet includes Luka Sadalle Deng as Minister of Local Government, Paul Kur Ajang as Minister of Information, Lam Amos Agok as Minister of Finance and Planning, Chuol Dep Kier as Minister of Trade and Commerce, Yedjwok Edward Ajang as Minister of Agriculture, Nyanuer William Nyuon as Minister of Health, Gatluak Manytap Pal as Minister of General Education, Dhieu Deng Ajang as Minister of Labour and Public Services, and Paulino Onyaw Mayik as Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports.
Kiir also appointed new leadership to the state’s independent commissions, including Kun Guor Minyjiek as Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission, Ngok Deng Kuol as Deputy Chairperson of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, and Gach Biel Diew as a member of the HIV/AIDS Commission.
New county commissioners were named for Nasir, Renk, Melut, Maiwut, Longuchuk and Maban counties, replacing the previous office holders.
In the state legislature, Rt. Hon. Philip Akol Amon was appointed Speaker of the Upper Nile State Legislative Assembly, alongside six newly appointed members.
According to the Office of the Governor of Upper Nile State, the presidential decrees were issued in accordance with Article 106A(2)(a) of the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, 2011 (as amended), and Section 38(1) of the Interpretation of Laws and General Provisions Act, 2006.
In a statement accompanying the decrees, President Kiir expressed gratitude to the outgoing officials for their service and contribution to the state during their tenure.
He also wished the newly appointed officials success in carrying out their responsibilities.
The reshuffle is one of the most extensive changes to the Upper Nile State administration in recent months, affecting both the executive and legislative branches as well as county governments.
