President Salva Kiir Mayardit has appointed a caretaker government, including national ministers, state governors, chief administrators and senior advisers, following the dissolution of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity on Tuesday evening.
The caretaker arrangement comes as South Sudan enters the final three months before the general elections scheduled for December 22, 2026, with the new officials tasked with maintaining government operations during the electoral period.
The dissolution and caretaker arrangements were announced through Republican Orders read on state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC).
The caretaker arrangement includes national ministers, state governors, chief administrators, deputy ministers, presidential advisers and other government officials.
Under the new arrangement, Kiir appointed 13 caretaker ministers to oversee key national ministries.
Among the appointed caretaker ministers include Africano Mande Gadime as Minister of Presidential Affairs; Martin Elia Lomoro as Minister of Cabinet Affairs; Ambassador Cecilia Adut Manyok as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Ayor Akuoch Anok as Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs; and Rizik Zachariah Hassan as Minister of Interior.
Dr. Wek Mamer Kuol appointed as Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, while Obote Mamur Mete was named Minister of National Security.
Athian Diing Athian will head the Ministry of Finance and Planning, Awow Daniel Chuang the Ministry of Petroleum, and Dr. Labanya Margret the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Ateny Wek Ateny was appointed Minister of Information, Communication, Technology and Postal Services, Michael Makuei Lueth will oversee East African Community Affairs, and Stephen Par Kuol was appointed Minister of Peacebuilding.
Kiir also appointed James Ngere Paciko as Presidential Adviser on Governance.
At the state level, caretaker governors were appointed for all 10 states.
Augustino Jadalla Wani will serve in Central Equatoria, Louis Lobong Lojore in Eastern Equatoria, Moses Majok Gatluak in Jonglei, Rin Tueny Mabor Deng in Lakes, Charles Madut Akol in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Joseph Manytuil Wecjang 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.
The President also appointed three caretaker chief administrators: Justice Charles Abyei Jok for the Abyei Special Administrative Area, Joseph Baboya Ngere for the Greater Pibor Administrative Area and Daniel Makuei Thiyier for the Ruweng Administrative Area.
The order allows caretaker governors to nominate interim county commissioners for counties within their respective states.
County commissioners have been relieved of their political and policy functions, with interim arrangements expected to maintain essential services and administrative continuity.
Three acting deputy ministers were also appointed. Philip Jada Natana will serve as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Marial Chanuong Yol as Deputy Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, and David Marial Gumke as Deputy Minister of Interior.
Several presidential advisers and envoys will continue serving during the caretaker period.
They include Gen. Kuol Manyang Juuk as Senior Presidential Adviser, Tut Gatluak Manimeh as Presidential Adviser on National Security Affairs, Dr. Costello Garang Riiny as Presidential Adviser for International Relations and Foreign Affairs, and Peter Chaleman Cawach as Presidential Adviser for Peace.
Nevertheless, continuing in their roles are Adut Salva Kiir as Senior Presidential Envoy for Special Programs, Madut Yel Biar as Presidential Envoy to the Great Lakes Region, and Joseph Paciko Ngere as Presidential Adviser on Governance, according to the order.
The Republican Order further provides that ministries without acting ministers will continue operating under their respective under-secretaries to ensure continuity of government services.
The affected ministries include Agriculture and Forestry, Investment, Youth and Sports, Energy and Dams, Environment and Forestry, Federal Affairs, Gender and Social Welfare, General Education and Instruction, Health, Higher Education, Science and Technology, Land, Housing and Urban Development, Humanitarian Affairs, Water Resources and Irrigation, Labour, Parliamentary Affairs, Public Service and Human Resource Development, Mining, Roads and Bridges, Transport, and Wildlife, Conservation and Tourism.
Moreover, Kiir made changes at three national institutions relieving Rizig Dominic Samuel as Director General of the National Communication Authority and replaced by Eng. Gieth Kon Mathiang. Dr. Ayiei Garang Deng relieved as Director General of the South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority and replaced by Mosety Kat Monyjok.
Ambassador Moun Deng Ajuet was relieved as Commissioner General of the South Sudan Revenue Authority and replaced by Rizig Dominic Samuel.
The caretaker arrangements come after Kiir signed amendments to the National Elections Act, 2012, on Monday.
The amendments removed legal links between holding elections and completion of the permanent constitution-making process and the national census, clearing the legal framework for the December polls.
The Republican Order states that officials serving in the caretaker administration shall not contest for the relevant positions during the elections.
It also requires caretaker officials to remain politically neutral and prohibits the use of public office, government resources or state institutions to promote or disadvantage political parties, candidates or other electoral contestants.
The caretaker administration is expected to remain in place during the electoral period, with the stated purpose of maintaining government continuity as the country prepares for the December 22 elections.
