South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir presided over a high-profile swearing-in ceremony of newly appointed government officials in Juba on Wednesday, calling on the people of South Sudan to remain calm, united, and focused on sustaining peace.
Among those sworn in was Peter Chaleman Cawach, a respected member of the National Transitional Legislative Assembly and an elder statesman, widely recognized for his role in advancing peace and stability in the Upper Nile region.
His appointment as Presidential Advisor for Peace is expected to strengthen ongoing peace initiatives and foster collaboration between communities affected by conflict.
Also taking the oath was Joseph Nguen Monytuil, reinstated as Governor of Unity State.
Having previously held the same office, Dr. Monytuil is credited with promoting stability across the greater Unity region, and his reappointment has sparked expectations for renewed progress in peacebuilding and development.
The ceremony further included the swearing in of three Deputy Governors: Isaac Luka Manga (Lakes State), William Gatjang Giing (Unity State), and Karlo Andrew Akwo Ajert (Eastern Equatoria State), underscoring the government’s commitment to inclusive governance and the effective implementation of the 2018 peace agreement.
In his address, President Kiir emphasized that the top priority of the newly appointed officials must be fostering peace, delivering public services, and promoting cooperation across all levels of government.
“We have all witnessed what war does. We believe we should stop from here. Then we must find a way of getting solutions. And we must work together to solve our problems,” the President said.
Vice President for Infrastructure, Taban Deng Gai, urged the officials to place peacebuilding at the forefront of their responsibilities, particularly calling on the Unity State Governor to remove road checkpoints that hinder trade and economic activity.
Presidential Advisor on Security Affairs, Tut Gatluak Manime, stressed the importance of strengthening relations with neighboring communities in Unity and Upper Nile, including areas in the Ruweng Administrative Area.
The SPLM Secretary General, Akol Paul Koordit, commended the President’s appointments, urging the officials to serve with integrity and work across political lines.
Stephen Par Kuol, Minister of Peacebuilding and Acting Chairperson for SPLM-IO, also reaffirmed commitment to implementing the peace agreement and ensuring lasting stability.
President Kiir concluded the ceremony with a call for solidarity: “It is our responsibility to hold each other’s hand and move together towards peace and lasting development for our people.”
