Eastern Equatoria State on Monday swore in three county commissioners and several newly appointed state officials after President Salva Kiir approved their appointments, a move state authorities said strengthens local governance.
The appointments were confirmed under Republican Order No. RSS/OP/RD-J-176-06/2026, issued on June 24 under Article 106A(2)(a) of the Transitional Constitution.
The three commissioners are Lam Francis Gabriel for Magwi County, representing the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM); Jeff Longoria Lokipi for Kapoeta South County under the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA); and Lokang Charles Italian for Torit County under the Other Political Parties (OPP).
All three had been serving as caretaker commissioners after being appointed by Governor Louis Lobong Lojore pending presidential confirmation, in line with provisions of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
The presidential order also appointed Peter Lokuju Lotirimoi as Minister of Cooperative and Rural Development and Akileo Peter Mboya as Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, while Margaret Idwa Okuye was transferred to the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare. Pascal Lodae Woyakori was appointed chairperson of the Eastern Equatoria State Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation Commission.
Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony in Torit, Governor Lobong said the caretaker appointments had been necessary to avoid disruptions in county administration while awaiting presidential approval, which is required for political appointments under the peace agreement.
He urged the newly confirmed commissioners to carry out their duties responsibly, saying confirmation did not guarantee permanent tenure and that public officials remained accountable for their performance.
Commenting on the cabinet reshuffle, Lobong said the changes were intended to improve government effectiveness by assigning officials to roles where they could contribute more effectively.
Speaking on behalf of the appointees, Gender, Child and Social Welfare Minister Margaret Idwa Okuye thanked President Kiir and the governor for their confidence and pledged to improve service delivery despite financial constraints facing the state.
She said the government would continue implementing development projects, citing the construction of Torit Stadium and road rehabilitation works as examples of progress despite limited resources.
Charles Udwar Ukech, Speaker of the Eastern Equatoria State Transitional Legislative Assembly, urged the officials to uphold the Constitution, prioritize public service and help maintain a peaceful political environment as South Sudan prepares for future elections.
Deputy Governor Karlo Andrew Akwo called on the new officials to work closely with local communities, traditional leaders and political stakeholders to promote peace and development.
The appointments are part of the implementation of the fragile 2018 revitalized peace agreement, which allocates government positions among the accord’s signatory parties at the national and state levels.
and then