The family of the late South Sudanese politician Steward Sorobo Budia has written to the office of President Salva Kiir demanding cultural and moral reparations after his name was included in a recent government appointment order.
In a letter dated February 2 and seen by Radio Tamazuj, the family of the late Steward Soroba said they were “deeply concerned and distressed” by the appointment, which they described as a “serious cultural and spiritual violation.”
A Republican Order issued last Friday listed Budia as a member of a political party’s leadership body and as a stakeholder in election-related dialogue in Juba. Budia died in 2021.
“The appointment of a deceased person is not only an administrative error but also a serious cultural and spiritual violation,” the letter said. “In our culture, it is unacceptable to invoke or ‘awaken’ the soul and spirit of the deceased without the knowledge, consent or involvement of the family.”
The family said the incident had left them and the wider community “dismayed, emotionally affected and spiritually disturbed,” and demanded “appropriate reparations for the disturbance of the soul and spirit” of the late politician in line with their traditions.
According to the letter, the office of the president later issued a clarification describing the inclusion as an “unintentional administrative error” and said steps were under way to amend the order. While acknowledging the clarification, the family said the matter “goes beyond a simple correction of names.”
Budia had served as Commissioner for Greater Yei and as Minister of Information and Communication. Until his death, he was head of the United Democratic Party (UDP) and a signatory to South Sudan’s 2018 peace agreement.
In their demands, the family called for the immediate rectification of the order, a formal public clarification, and official recognition of their right to designate a representative to carry forward Budia’s political legacy—something they said has been done for other deceased political leaders.
They also requested assurances that similar errors would not be repeated.
“We trust that the Office of the President will treat this matter with the seriousness, respect and urgency it deserves,” the letter concluded.