President Salva Kiir, 2026|Courtesy

President Salva Kiir Mayardit has carried out a sweeping overhaul of the Upper Nile State government, relieving and appointing officials across the executive, county administrations, independent commissions, and the State Legislative Assembly through a series of Republican decrees.

The changes, announced in decrees issued on August 4, affected state advisers, ministers, county commissioners, members of independent commissions, and lawmakers. The President also revoked the appointment of the Speaker-designate and several members of the Upper Nile State Legislative Assembly before appointing a new Speaker and new legislators.

Among those relieved were two state advisers, nine ministers, six county commissioners, three officials serving in independent commissions, the Speaker-designate, and six members of the State Legislative Assembly.

The President appointed Joseph Aban Odong and Dok Guot Ngor as state advisers for Peace and Security and Economic Affairs, respectively, alongside a new team of ministers to head key portfolios including Local Government, Information, Finance and Planning, Trade and Commerce, Agriculture, Health, General Education, Labour and Public Services, and Culture, Youth and Sports.

The decrees also named new county commissioners for Nasir, Renk, Melut, Maiwut, Longochuk, and Maban counties, while Rt. Hon. Philip Akol Amon was appointed Speaker of the Upper Nile State Legislative Assembly together with six new members.

The changes were made under Article 106A(2)(a) of the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, 2011 (as amended), read together with Section 38(1) of the Interpretation of Laws and General Provisions Act, 2006.

In the decrees, President Kiir thanked the outgoing officials for their service and wished the incoming officeholders success in their new assignments.