Kiir swears in 5 officials ahead of South Sudan elections

South Sudan President Salva Kiir during the swearing-in of five officials in Juba (PHOTO/@SouthSudanGov/X)

By Kenneth Mwenda

South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit has sworn in five newly appointed officials following changes to senior government positions as the country prepares for general elections scheduled for December 22, 2026.

The officials took their oaths of office in Juba on Friday, October 23, with Kiir directing them to improve service delivery, strengthen government institutions and promote national stability.

Those sworn in include Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, who was appointed Presidential Adviser on International Relations and Foreign Affairs; Ambassador Bol Wek Agoth, the Caretaker Minister of Cabinet Affairs; and Angelo Ngot Mayar, the Caretaker Governor of Warrap State.

The other officials are Lieutenant General Apiu Goch Dut, who will serve as Deputy Director General for Administration and Finance at the Internal Security Bureau of the National Security Service, and Tor Deng Mawien, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Civil Aviation Authority.

The appointments affect several key institutions, including the presidency, national security, state administration and civil aviation, as the government continues operating under a caretaker arrangement ahead of the polls.

Addressing the officials during the ceremony, Kiir urged them to begin their duties immediately and organise their respective institutions to improve public services.

“This is a new phase for you. All of you, go to your offices and start organising yourself to deliver services to the people and improve the performance of the institutions you have been appointed to lead. I want you to work hard for the betterment of our country,” Kiir said.

On September 22, 2026, Kiir dissolved the transitional government, the national legislature, state governments and their assemblies, and authorities in three administrative areas. He subsequently established a caretaker administration to oversee government operations during the electoral period.

The transition follows repeated extensions of the transitional period established under the 2018 peace agreement, which ended a civil war in South Sudan. The December vote is intended to move the country towards an elected government after years of delays.

Caretaker officials are expected to maintain essential government functions while the country prepares for the elections. They are also required to remain politically neutral and are prohibited from using public office, government resources or state institutions to favour or disadvantage political parties and candidates.

The latest swearing-in ceremony therefore comes as the government seeks to maintain administrative continuity while preparing for the planned polls. Kiir’s directive places responsibility on the newly appointed officials to ensure that public institutions continue delivering services during the electoral period.

Kenneth Mwenda

Kenneth Mwenda is a business, sports, and politics digital writer with over seven years of experience in journalism, covering breaking news, feature stories, and in-depth analysis across a range of beats. For inquiries, he can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Source: https://peopledaily.digital/inside-politics/kiir-swears-in-5-officials-ahead-of-south-sudan-elections