President Salva Kiir - photo credit: Presidential Press Unit

President Salva Kiir has relieved James Al-Tayib of his duties as Governor of Western Equatoria State and Joseph Zacharia Garang of his position as Deputy Governor of Western Bahr el Ghazal State.

The decision was announced through a Republican decree read on the state-run South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) television on Monday.

Al-Tayib was appointed Governor of Western Equatoria State in August 2025 following the removal of Alfred Futuyo Karaba.

Prior to Al-Tayib’s appointment, Badagbu Daniel served as Acting Governor of the state after Futuyo’s removal.

Joseph Zacharia Garang had served as Deputy Governor of Western Bahr el Ghazal State since his appointment in December 2020.

In the same decree, President Kiir appointed Badagbu Daniel as the new Governor of Western Equatoria State, while Achum Edward Apororo was named Deputy Governor of Western Bahr el Ghazal State.