Peter Mayen Majongdit, former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management. |File photo.

The former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management has announced his candidacy for president in the upcoming 2024 general elections.

Peter Mayen Majongdit was fired by President Salva Kiir in November 2022 and has since lived quietly in his hometown in Warrap State.

However, on Sunday, Mayen announced his decision to challenge President Kiir for the presidency in the country’s first elections next year.

The leader of the People’s Liberal Party and head of the opposition coalition Other Political Parties has also created a Facebook page named Peter Mayen Wen-Majongdit for Presidency 2024.

“As we look forward to enforcing the first ever Democratic elections in South Sudan, I am committed to Liberal Democratic Principal, if being a President means someone who looks ahead and not behind, then I’m proud to say I am ready for the presidential race in 2024… God Bless South Sudan,” he said in a Facebook post.

In February this year, Mayen rejected the appointment of Albino Atak as his replacement.

He told the media sources that his party rejects the appointment of Atak as the portfolio belongs to the Umbrella coalition.

It is not clear if Mayen has been endorsed by his party as the flag-bearer.