President Salva Kiir during the signing of the Cyber Crime, Audit Chamber Amendment, and Wildlife Conservation Acts into law at the State House in Juba on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 - Credit: OPPU

President Salva Kiir has appointed Daniel Akot Akot from the SPLM-IO faction affiliated to Stephen Par as the Speaker of the Council of States, ending a leadership vacancy in the upper house of the national legislature.

The Council of States is the upper chamber of the national legislature and works alongside the National Legislative Assembly.

According to a decree dated March 9, President Kiir appointed Daniel Akot Akot, a member of the opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition, as the new speaker of the Council of States.

He replaces former speaker Deng Deng Akon, who was dismissed from the position in August 2025.

The First Deputy Speaker of the Council of States, Mary Ayen Mijok, who has also been serving as the acting speaker, congratulated the new speaker.

According to First Deputy Speaker Ayen, the new speaker has assumed an important responsibility in service of the nation.