Dr Addis Ababa Othow, the former Governor of the Bank of South Sudan - courtesy photo

The newly appointed Governor of the Bank of South Sudan, Dr. Addis Ababa Othow, has assumed office for the second time to lead the country’s central bank.

According to a statement from the Bank of South Sudan, Dr. Othow took office earlier today after being sworn in by President Salva Kiir.

At the bank’s headquarters, Dr. Othow was received by the First Deputy Governor for Policy and Banking, Tong Akec, Second Deputy Governor for Administration and Finance, Weituey Luony Babuoth, members of the Board of Directors, and Directors General.

The new governor held an introductory meeting with the Board of Directors, where they discussed key institutional priorities and the bank’s ongoing operations.

Dr. Othow is also expected to meet with staff members to formally address them following his engagement with the board.

The meeting comes after bank staff raised concerns over unpaid arrears and had been in dispute with former Governor Johny Ohisa Damian.

President Salva Kiir appointed Dr. Othow on Wednesday to replace Johny Ohisa Damian, who was dismissed through a presidential decree on the same day.

Dr. Othow previously served as Governor of the Bank of South Sudan from June 2025 to November 2025 and is a seasoned economist and financial expert.

Before joining public service, Dr. Othow worked in the private sector, including at Equity Bank headquarters in Nairobi, where he served as General Manager of Operations.

Born in Malakal in 1974, Dr. Othow holds academic qualifications in economics and finance from institutions in Sudan and Europe.